By Kama Stigall
A Figure Skating in Detroit coach has caught the eye of actor/producer Gal Gadot, best known for her work in the 2020 blockbuster Wonder Woman 1984.
Kameryn Everett, 21, is featured in National Geographic's new short-form documentary series, “IMPACT with Gal Gadot.”
“It’s a powerful docuseries telling the stories of exceptional women who are making a true impact in their communities,” Gadot said in a social media post announcing the series.
In the series, six women are profiled for their courage and resilience, representing their home cities of San Juan, Puerto Rico; Half Moon Bay, California; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Grand Caillou, Louisiana; Memphis, Tennessee; and Detroit.
Everett is highlighted in the first episode, “Ice Breakers.”
“I think they are shedding a beautiful light on the work I do, as well as the other coaches and Figure Skating in Detroit staff, and what we are doing to shape, mold and guide our leaders of the future,” Everett said.
The trailer for the series debuted at Figure Skating in Harlem’s 2021 Champions in Life Virtual Benefit Gala on April 22. Figure Skating in Detroit is an expansion program of Figure Skating in Harlem.
“The response so far has been overwhelmingly positive,” Sharon Cohen, founder and CEO of Figure Skating in Harlem, said. “There’s been a lot of buzz around the series because it spotlights everyday wonder women like Kameryn Everett, who dedicates her time to coaching our girls at Figure Skating in Detroit. It’s artfully done and captures the magic that happens when someone makes a real impact on youth.”
Figure Skating in Harlem (founded in 1997) and Figure Skating in Detroit (founded in 2018) are the only organizations in the world for girls of color that combine the power of education with access to the artistic discipline of figure skating to build champions in life.
National Geographic first reached out about profiling the Detroit chapter in late 2019.
“Each of the coaches in our program was asked to write a short statement about who we are and our thoughts about the program, and our overall tasks as coaches,” Everett said. “After a National Geographic scout came to observe us all in action, I was selected. Shortly after my selection, I was scheduled for a Zoom interview with individuals involved in the production of the project.”
In the “Ice Breakers,” episode, viewers witness firsthand how meaningful figure skating is to the young skaters and staff, as well as how the sport provides important life skills to those involved.
“Our girls and our coaches and teachers, both on and off the ice, are the heroes,” Cohen said. “They are on the frontline of creating access, beauty and justice. We couldn’t be prouder to have National Geographic capture our Detroit sisters growing and expressing themselves.”
Though the episode only offers a brief glimpse into what Figure Skating in Detroit provides to its skaters, Everett wants viewers to know its impacts are far-reaching.
“Figure Skating in Detroit acts as a major lifestyle influencer on the girls enrolled,” she said. “I believe that these fundamentals and areas of growth the girls exhibit in the program are spread to their schools and to their friends in some way, and this is how I feel our program is not only giving back to the enrolled girls in the program but also their families, friends and community.”
View the episode on YouTube here or watch below.
