From Granite Park to X Games: How Sacramento's Popoutnine16 Built a Movement for Local Youth

In 2020, Jordan Baker showed up at Granite Skateboard Park in South Sacramento with a simple mission: support the skate community and celebrate local musicians and artists. He brought a Bluetooth speaker, some merchandise, and the desire to give young skaters incentive to keep pushing themselves during a time when everything felt isolating. What started as one person’s passion project has evolved into Popoutnine16, an official nonprofit organization that’s now touring the West Coast and turning heads at major events like the X Games.

The breakthrough moment came when X Games organizers reached out and invited Popoutnine16 to partner on their inaugural X Games League event in Sacramento. The nonprofit brought thirty local youth to the professional competition, creating opportunities that many young skaters and creatives would never have access to otherwise. They met professional skaters, experienced behind-the-scenes operations of a world-class event, and gained mentorship from industry professionals. As pro skater Deshawn Jordan noted, Popoutnine16 isn’t just about competition, it’s about bringing culture and community into the extreme sports world. Board member Esquire Ali captures the vibe perfectly:“X Games meets Rolling Loud,”a blend of competitive action sports and cultural celebration.

Now in their sixth season of West Coast touring, Popoutnine16 continues to expand beyond Sacramento to cities like San Francisco, Portland, Seattle, Los Angeles, and beyond. Their formula remains consistent: free skate competitions, live performances from local artists, donated prizes from community vendors and businesses, and a genuine commitment to creating safe space for young people to explore their passions. The organization hosts events in multiple cities throughout the year, with their next Sacramento-area stop scheduled for July 26 at Derr-Okamoto Skatepark in Elk Grove. What do you think Sacramento’s young creatives need most from our community? Share your thoughts in the comments below.