Greenville resident’s skateboard brand inspires skater girls across the world

Black-owned Proper Gnar has witnessed a growth spurred by the growing popularity of skater girl culture
Latosha Stone is the founder and owner of Proper Gnar, the first black woman-owned skateboard brand.

Credit: Latosha Stone

Credit: Latosha Stone

Latosha Stone is the founder and owner of Proper Gnar, the first black woman-owned skateboard brand. CONTRIBUTED.
What to Love
By Ashley Moor
May 5, 2021
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Nearly a decade ago, Greenville resident Latosha Stone set out to create an apparel brand that catered specifically to female skateboarders. At that time, Stone noticed few brands even acknowledged the existence of female skateboarders. And, with a vision in mind, she decided to completely shake up the industry.

Back in 2013, Stone founded Proper Gnar, a skateboard apparel brand that sells custom skateboards, streetwear and accessories specifically geared towards female skateboarders and adorned with art designed by Stone.

Latosha Stone is the founder and owner of Proper Gnar, the first black woman-owned skateboard brand.

Credit: Latosha Stone

icon to expand image

Credit: Latosha Stone

“I’ve been skateboarding since like sixth grade,” Stone said. “I’ve also been drawing for as long as I can remember. In 2013 I was working at this factory in Greenville and I just knew that I didn’t want to work in a factory forever. I didn’t see any skateboarding stuff that was geared for women. Back when I started, I only knew a few female skateboarders and I didn’t know of any women-owned skateboarding brands at all. So, I just started to create stuff I felt represented me and people who look like me.”

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Currently, Stone operates Proper Gnar out of a studio space in her house and in a retail space located on 311 S. Broadway St. in Greenville.

Unlike other businesses who have struggled to overcome obstacles presented by the coronavirus pandemic and resulting global shutdowns, Proper Gnar has witnessed a growth spurred by the growing popularity of skater girl culture and a shoutout from a celebrity. Just last month, Stone was interviewed by NPR as a part of a piece about the resurgence of the skater girl during the pandemic.

In June 2020, Proper Gnar was given quite a boost when it was placed on Beyonce’s directory of Black-owned businesses on her website.

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“It was so surreal,” Stone said. “I was super excited when it happened. I was in shock. I’m super thankful that it happened because it definitely helped my business.”

Apart from selling skateboarding specifically geared towards women, Stone has always done her best to promote female skaters on Proper Gnar’s Facebook and Instagram profiles. She also hopes to sponsor an all-female skateboarding team and hold regular meet-ups for female skateboarders in the near future.

Shoppers can browse through Proper Gnar’s merchandise by visiting the brand’s website. Proper Gnar merchandise is also sold online at Dollskill.com, Goop.com and Zumiez.com, and in brick-and-mortar shops throughout the country, including at Unheard Of in Cincinnati. Currently, Zumiez is testing Proper Gnar’s merchandise at their location in the Dayton Mall.

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Proper Gnar merchandise in Zumiez location at the Dayton Mall.

Credit: Latosha Stone

icon to expand image

Credit: Latosha Stone

More information about Stone and Proper Gnar can be found by visiting its Facebook and Instagram accounts.

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About the Author

Ashley Moor is a Dayton native and graduate of Kent State University. She is a multimedia journalist for Dayton.com, and strives to provide impactful stories about the community and its people.