North Minneapolis Boy Featured in Snowboarding Magazine Finds Love for the Sport

11-year-old Mickey Watkins goes from makeshift snowboard to hitting the slopes with a nonprofit that helps underserved communities access outdoor activities.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Eleven-year-old Mickey Watkins from North Minneapolis is no longer just the kid known for his makeshift snowboard. After a photo of him sliding on a tote bin lid went viral, he connected with the nonprofit Melanin in Motion, which has provided him and his younger brother Elijah with snowboarding lessons and equipment. Mickey's progress has been featured in The Snowboarder's Journal, and the nonprofit's fundraiser to support more kids like Mickey has exceeded its goal.

Why it matters

This story highlights how access to outdoor activities and mentorship can turn curiosity into confidence for underserved youth. It also showcases the power of community-based organizations like Melanin in Motion to break down barriers and provide opportunities for kids to discover new passions.

The details

After a photographer spotted Mickey using a tote bin lid as a makeshift snowboard, the photo went viral and caught the attention of Melanin in Motion, a nonprofit that helps communities of color, lower- and moderate-income, and other underserved groups access outdoor activities. The nonprofit connected with Mickey's family and has since provided him and his younger brother Elijah with snowboarding lessons and equipment. Mickey's progress, including learning to do S-turns and navigating the slopes, has been featured in the latest issue of The Snowboarder's Journal. The magazine also held an online fundraiser to support Melanin in Motion, surpassing its goal within a few days.

  • In December, Mickey was using a tote bin lid as a makeshift snowboard.
  • In early 2026, a photographer took photos of Mickey snowboarding that ended up on the cover of The Snowboarder's Journal.
  • Since connecting with Melanin in Motion, Mickey and his brother have been taking snowboarding lessons and have been featured in the latest issue of the magazine.

The players

Mickey Watkins

An 11-year-old boy from North Minneapolis who went viral for using a tote bin lid as a makeshift snowboard and has since connected with Melanin in Motion to learn the sport.

Elijah Watkins

Mickey's younger brother, who has also been taking snowboarding lessons with Melanin in Motion.

Anthony Taylor

The leader of Melanin in Motion, a nonprofit that helps underserved communities access outdoor activities.

The Snowboarder's Journal

The magazine that featured Mickey's story and held an online fundraiser to support Melanin in Motion.

Colin Wiseman

The content director of The Snowboarder's Journal, who praised how Mickey's story has become a "living illustration of how access, mentorship, and belonging can turn curiosity into confidence, and a solo spark into a shared ride."

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What they’re saying

“Mickey is already fearless.”

— Anthony Taylor, Leader of Melanin in Motion (Instagram)

“What started as a viral moment has become a living illustration of how access, mentorship, and belonging can turn curiosity into confidence, and a solo spark into a shared ride.”

— Colin Wiseman, Content Director of The Snowboarder's Journal (The Snowboarder's Journal)

What’s next

The nonprofit Melanin in Motion plans to continue providing snowboarding lessons and equipment to Mickey, his brother Elijah, and other kids in the community to help them discover a love for the sport.

The takeaway

This story showcases the power of community-based organizations to break down barriers and provide underserved youth with access to outdoor activities and mentorship, which can turn curiosity into confidence and a solo spark into a shared ride.