As a young figure skater growing up, Karissa Williams met few skaters who looked like her, so U.S. and World Champion Debi Thomas was her inspiration. Despite limited resources, Williams persisted in the sport, even choosing a college that had a skating team, University of Michigan. Her time as a competitor finally came in the adult ranks (competitions for skaters 25 and older), where Williams became the first and still only Black woman to win a U.S. adult title.
After a 30-year wait, Williams finally met Thomas when they participated in Diversify Ice Foundation’s SkateRaiser24, held in Chicago June 14 and 15. Both assisted with the skating clinic held day one.
“I literally was grinning from ear to ear. To be on the ice with her was incredible. Seeing her on the ice teaching the kids was otherworldly. I felt I was that little kid watching Debi skate,” said Williams. Prior to the clinic, she skated compulsory figures with Larry Holliday, a historic adult competitor, who has battled brain cancer and is now on the road to recovery.
Other high profile skaters on hand were U.S. and World Pair Champion Tai Babilonia, former U.S. ladies competitors Kristine Musademba and Megan Stewart, current U.S. ladies competitors Starr Andrews and Alexa Gasparotto, U.S. novice ice dance medalists Anaelle Kouevi and Yann Homawoo, and former U.S. men’s competitor Emmanuel Savary.
RELATED: Figure Skating in Harlem continues to reach for the stars
“It really was this past, present and future culmination of champions for a super beautiful event,” said Diversify Ice founder Joel Savary. “There were a lot of adult skaters that came in. These were their idols, Debi and Tai. To be there with them and actually learning from them in the training camp and then watching the beautiful performances the next day, I think everyone had a great time. We’re able to make an impact.”
Several awards were distributed, including the Diversify Ice Icon Award and Trailblazer Award, given to Holliday, the first skater to land a triple jump at the U.S. Adult Figure Skating Championships. Young skater Caiyla Shaw, who will attend Howard University in the fall, received a $2,500 scholarship from Diversify Ice and the Fredrick Watson Foundation, which she can use for both her education and skating training.
“It was amazing to see so many Black people, Brown people, underrepresented minority people all coming together for the advancement of figure skating,” said Williams.