Figure Skating in Harlem: Transforming Young Lives and Building Resilience on and off the Ice
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By Alexandra Flores I Laureus Sport for Good
In Harlem, New York City, a group of girls is proving that ice skating isn’t just choreography, but a powerful life lesson about falling and getting back up - the philosophy at the core of Figure Skating in Harlem.
Figure Skating in Harlem, a programme supported by Laureus Sport for Good USA, empowers girls and young women of colour and those from low-income backgrounds through the artistic discipline of figure skating, education and leadership development, fostering champions in life both on and off the ice.
"Our girls fall a lot to get better at skating, but they take that lesson into the classrooms and into their lives," said Sharon Cohen, founder and CEO of Figure Skating in Harlem, and the inspiration behind this year’s IWC Schaffhausen special edition Laureus Sport for Good watch.
Championing The Mission
Since its founding in 1997, Figure Skating in Harlem has instilled in girls the importance of resilience.
"In life, like on ice, when I fall, I get back up," shared Ila Epperson, the Figure Skating in Harlem creative director - once alumni - said, quoting the organisation’s creed.
"Skating is a structured sport, and we need to follow a group class model" Epperson continued. "The students’ academics come before the athletics, so they’ve got to do their homework before getting on the ice."
Figure Skating in Harlem students participate in classes focused on social-emotional learning (SEL) and GoFit instruction like dance or calisthenics to warm-up. Finally, they step onto the ice for their figure skating instructions, designed to challenge both their physical and mental endurance.
These lessons build the confidence and connection that girls take into the real world.
"Our girls fall a lot to get better at skating, but they take that lesson into the classrooms and into their lives," said Sharon Cohen, founder and CEO of Figure Skating in Harlem, and the inspiration behind this year’s IWC Schaffhausen special edition Laureus Sport for Good watch.
Championing The Mission
Since its founding in 1997, Figure Skating in Harlem has instilled in girls the importance of resilience.
"In life, like on ice, when I fall, I get back up," shared Ila Epperson, the Figure Skating in Harlem creative director - once alumni - said, quoting the organisation’s creed.
"Skating is a structured sport, and we need to follow a group class model" Epperson continued. "The students’ academics come before the athletics, so they’ve got to do their homework before getting on the ice."
Figure Skating in Harlem students participate in classes focused on social-emotional learning (SEL) and GoFit instruction like dance or calisthenics to warm-up. Finally, they step onto the ice for their figure skating instructions, designed to challenge both their physical and mental endurance.
These lessons build the confidence and connection that girls take into the real world.
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Epperson shared: "I was homeschooled through the eighth grade. It was a very different experience being around so many more kids and starting to create friendships outside my homeschool setting."
Figure Skating in Harlem helped her to be a community member, learning how to make friends and fostering a sense of belonging. This allows people like Epperson to return as a coach and creative director, in which she is part of the ice shows presentations and positively impacts the current students.
"The community here is what keeps me coming back. Whether in the rink or the academic centre, it feels like a second home," said Isabella, a Figure Skating in Harlem participant.
Epperson likened Figure Skating in Harlem to a sisterhood: "Knowing who they are beyond the ice, how they respond to challenges, and understanding them as individuals optimizes their total skating experience."
For many, the programme provides a safe space to navigate both successes and failures.
"Our creed is what we stand behind because we believe in every failure, there are 50 successes waiting," Cohen said.
Figure Skating in Harlem helped her to be a community member, learning how to make friends and fostering a sense of belonging. This allows people like Epperson to return as a coach and creative director, in which she is part of the ice shows presentations and positively impacts the current students.
"The community here is what keeps me coming back. Whether in the rink or the academic centre, it feels like a second home," said Isabella, a Figure Skating in Harlem participant.
Epperson likened Figure Skating in Harlem to a sisterhood: "Knowing who they are beyond the ice, how they respond to challenges, and understanding them as individuals optimizes their total skating experience."
For many, the programme provides a safe space to navigate both successes and failures.
"Our creed is what we stand behind because we believe in every failure, there are 50 successes waiting," Cohen said.
Breaking the Barriers with the Right Support
While figure skating is often considered a sport limited by high cost and accessibility, Figure Skating in Harlem is working to remove these barriers and open doors for underserved communities.
Through their ‘I Can Excel (ICE)’ after school programme and Summer Dreams Camp, they support over 250 girls annually with life skills and career tools.
Epperson’s personal connection to figure skating reflects the programme’s transformative impact, "I wasn’t coordinated enough for traditional sport, and I didn’t know how to socialise outside home. But once I stepped on the ice, I loved it. It was one of the first times I thought, ‘Hey, I am good at this’."
Now, as a coach, she’s found new purpose in passing on those lessons:
"I wasn’t sure about coaching at first, but being here with the kids, teaching them all that I learned has become one of the biggest passions of my life," she shared.
Figure Skating in Harlem's commitment to academic success and leadership ensures participants leave with the confidence to thrive in any field, even beyond the ice.
Nia, another participant with aspirations in photography, said: "I love skating, but it’s not all. Going to the academic centre, they teach us economics and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) lessons, which I enjoy attending and learning."
While figure skating is often considered a sport limited by high cost and accessibility, Figure Skating in Harlem is working to remove these barriers and open doors for underserved communities.
Through their ‘I Can Excel (ICE)’ after school programme and Summer Dreams Camp, they support over 250 girls annually with life skills and career tools.
Epperson’s personal connection to figure skating reflects the programme’s transformative impact, "I wasn’t coordinated enough for traditional sport, and I didn’t know how to socialise outside home. But once I stepped on the ice, I loved it. It was one of the first times I thought, ‘Hey, I am good at this’."
Now, as a coach, she’s found new purpose in passing on those lessons:
"I wasn’t sure about coaching at first, but being here with the kids, teaching them all that I learned has become one of the biggest passions of my life," she shared.
Figure Skating in Harlem's commitment to academic success and leadership ensures participants leave with the confidence to thrive in any field, even beyond the ice.
Nia, another participant with aspirations in photography, said: "I love skating, but it’s not all. Going to the academic centre, they teach us economics and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) lessons, which I enjoy attending and learning."
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Shaping the Women of Tomorrow
Figure Skating in Harlem's efforts have gained wider recognition in recent years, but its true impact is felt in the lives of the girls it serves.
"When you open the doors and let people in, you see these young kids flying. That’s a privilege to witness for all of us," added Cohen.
For Epperson, seeing her senior students take their final bows is especially moving after every show: "These young women have worked so hard and seeing them shine after years of perseverance is incredibly impactful."
Skating isn’t about perfecting spins or landing every jump, but the resilience to keep getting up - on the ice and in life.
Cohen highlighted, "When you see young girls transform into young women with purpose, it’s the most gratifying thing."
Figure Skating in Harlem's efforts have gained wider recognition in recent years, but its true impact is felt in the lives of the girls it serves.
"When you open the doors and let people in, you see these young kids flying. That’s a privilege to witness for all of us," added Cohen.
For Epperson, seeing her senior students take their final bows is especially moving after every show: "These young women have worked so hard and seeing them shine after years of perseverance is incredibly impactful."
Skating isn’t about perfecting spins or landing every jump, but the resilience to keep getting up - on the ice and in life.
Cohen highlighted, "When you see young girls transform into young women with purpose, it’s the most gratifying thing."
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Inspiring a Timeless Design
For 20 years, Laureus’ Global Partner IWC Schaffhausen has been supporting Laureus Sport for Good programmes around the world.
Every year, IWC delivers a special grant to one of the more than 290 programmes Laureus supports to coincide with the launch of a limited edition Laureus Sport for Good Watch. This year, Figure Skating in Harlem was selected to receive this grant.
IWC's commitment to recognising outstanding programmes like Figure Skating in Harlem are just one way to celebrate the power sport to change the world.
For 20 years, Laureus’ Global Partner IWC Schaffhausen has been supporting Laureus Sport for Good programmes around the world.
Every year, IWC delivers a special grant to one of the more than 290 programmes Laureus supports to coincide with the launch of a limited edition Laureus Sport for Good Watch. This year, Figure Skating in Harlem was selected to receive this grant.
IWC's commitment to recognising outstanding programmes like Figure Skating in Harlem are just one way to celebrate the power sport to change the world.
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Laureus Academy Member Katarina Witt said: "As proud member of the Laureus World Sports Academy, it’s an honour to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Laureus with a limited edition IWC Schaffhausen timepiece that captures both beauty and purpose. IWC has been a wonderful supporter of Laureus in their role as Global Partner for two decades, standing alongside us in our mission to use sport as a force for good.
"The 2025 special edition watch is not only a testament to their exceptional craftsmanship, but also a tribute to the incredible young women of Figure Skating in Harlem — a Laureus-supported programme that empowers girls in New York City to build confidence, leadership, and academic excellence through the power of figure skating. As someone whose life was shaped by this sport, it means a lot to see our shared values reflected in such a special timepiece."
"The 2025 special edition watch is not only a testament to their exceptional craftsmanship, but also a tribute to the incredible young women of Figure Skating in Harlem — a Laureus-supported programme that empowers girls in New York City to build confidence, leadership, and academic excellence through the power of figure skating. As someone whose life was shaped by this sport, it means a lot to see our shared values reflected in such a special timepiece."
