By There’s nothing better for the soul than a little old fashioned movement. This is where Oakland’s Vertical Skillz comes in. In the age of addicting social platforms (ahem, Tiktok) designed to keep us glued to our seats, some of Oakland’s youth are missing out on the long list of benefits that fresh air and motion can provide. Vertical Skillz’s Dalia “La Pantera” Gomez, aka Coach G, has been on a mission to change that.
Leading with with a delicate balance of compassion and structure, Gomez launched her non-profit, Vertical Skillz, in 2019 in East Oakland with the goal of helping to build inner city youth’s physical, mental and character strength. Monday through Friday, rain or shine, you can find youth between the ages of 7 and 18 gathered at San Antonio Park in Oakland, attentively running through boxing drills with surprising precision.
These repetitive movements are not only designed to teach the fundamentals of boxing, but also serve to sharpen mental focus and give tools that students can draw upon during times that require discipline and restraint.
“We emphasize the connection between the body and the mind – helping students understand how to maintain calmness through adversity,” explains Gomez.
But Gomez wants the world to know there’s more to Vertical Skillz’s program than boxing. Another lens through which Vertical Skillz supports youth in their program is through mental and spiritual wellness. Gomez incorporates lessons about nutrition, healthy habits and even anatomy in the hopes of illustrating all the different ways a young adult can tend to their mental health.
“There’s a reason why the word ‘boxing’ isn’t in the name,” says Gomez when speaking about her non-profit. “It’s more than boxing. Vertical Skillz’s goal is to reach all the Oakland inner city youth. We’re trying to help them step by step to go vertical and expand. For example, we have the kids doing strength and conditioning, but also teach the name of the muscles so they can take that knowledge home with them and share it,” explains Gomez.
In the face of a rapidly changing city, more voices are speaking out about the need for BIPOC kids to have better representation in Oakland. Gomez works to incorporate that sense of community into Vertical Skillz, bringing in guests from her network including former NFL players and personal trainers to come and share their unique perspective with the kids.
“They can learn what community is about, what it is to give back, what it is to have that Tia, sister, mother or father guidance that they may or may not have,” says Gomez. “I try to bring in differently people with different skills – even Yoga – so the kids can see what self care is and how it can help. If we didnt have this space that Vertical Skillz provide, some of these kids maybe wouldn’t have this guidance that will one day help them make positive changes in our community.”
In fact, it was from this same need to inspire change that narrative that Vertical Skillz was born.
“There has always been this weird underlying assumption that people of color are not prepared or qualified to lead,” says Gomez. “So along with the everyday gender bias I have to deal with as a female coach, I figured I would start my own non-profit. I could call the shots and the youth I mentor would have the opportunity to see a woman of color be in charge of something amazing.”
The next stage of Vertical Skillz growth will come through the administrative side. Gomez is looking for a dedicated group to found Vertical Skillz’s Board of Directors, and is currently raising funds for the Vertical Skillz youth for an immersive international experience in which program youth box and volunteer in foreign countries.
“When the kids see others in need, it puts things into perspective,” says Gomez. “The kids learn that even when you don’t have much yourself, when you give to those who are in need, it feels good.”
If you are interested in learning more about Oakland’s Vertical Skillz, reach out to goverticalskillz@gmail.com or visit the Vertical Skillz website.
