Meet Benjamin Rakusin of Cary

Today we’d like to introduce you to Benjamin Rakusin

Hi Benjamin, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
The idea for our skateboarding club came during my junior year when I noticed that a lot of kids who shared a love for skating felt out of place in school. I wanted to create a sense of community for them—a space where we could connect, collaborate, and make a difference together.

I started by gathering a small group of friends who shared the same vision. Over time, the club grew to include about 40 members. We organized events like petitions, park cleanups, and host skate clinics every Sunday. We plan to collaborate with bigger organizations like Sk8 Raleigh and the Town of Cary to further reach our goals

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
With support from local skate shops like Endless Grind and a welcoming attitude from the school, we haven’t faced many challenges. We were pleasantly surprised by how many people showed up to the first meeting—but instead of feeling intimidated, we saw it as motivation to plan even bigger and more exciting events for our members.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My work with the skateboarding club focuses on building community and creating opportunities for skaters to come together in meaningful ways. Our club doesn’t just center on skating—it’s about fostering connections, giving back, and empowering people who might feel out of place. Right now, we are pushing to re-open conversation with the Town of Cary on the construction of a possible skatepark in downtown. We have a growing community of skateboarders in Cary, however we have no park to call home that is available to everyone. If we reach 500 signatures on our petition, we will be invited to speak at one of the town council meetings.

In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
We want to hopefully leave a lasting mark on Cary, however we know that it will take time. By building a steady foundation, we hope that the Cary skate club can remain prominent in the town/school and keep pushing for bigger projects.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caryskateclub?igsh=MWg1bHRjb28yamZ0Ng==
• Other: https://www.change.org/p/grant-skatepark-in-downtown-cary-old-library-site