MERAKI SKATEBOARDS

A young man stands on a basketball court at night, holding a skateboard with a graffiti-style design. He wears a striped t-shirt and a black cap, with a serious expression. In the background, there are children and a soccer goal with a net, along with palm trees and artificial lighting.

In 2023, during Kouadio’s first trip to Cairo, he met Zedan (aka Zee) at a local skate event celebrating the city’s growing skateboard culture. The energy was raw, the community was tight, and the creativity was contagious. Among the skaters, artists, and photographers stood Zee founder of MERAKI Skateboards, a brand he dreams of turning into Egypt’s first homegrown skateboard company.

MERAKI isn’t just about boards. It’s about community, craftsmanship, and freedom of expression. Zee and his friends build their skateboards from scratch in Cairo, using limited resources but limitless imagination. Beyond creating boards, Zee’s goal is to grow and support the local skate scene, making space for his friends and welcoming anyone who shares the love of skating and creativity.

Our collaboration began with a custom board project we designed it together, and Zee brought it to life using what he had available. It’s just the start of something bigger. Together, we want to continue building from new board designs and exhibitions to community events and workshops that give local youth access to tools, mentorship, and creative expression.

But to make this happen, we need help.

We’re calling on brands, organisations, and individuals who share our vision to get involved whether through product support, funding, or resources to help build local structures for the Cairo skate scene.

Every contribution counts , big or small.

If you’d like to support Zee and the MERAKI movement, you can donate directly below.

(S)TREET

      (O)RBIT

(C)REW

An older man with gray hair is sitting on a bed, looking down at a magazine or catalog. The bed has a floral or leafy bedspread, and there are multiple pillows behind him. To his left, there are several objects, including a patterned cushion and a red object. In the background, there is a large poster with a cartoon character giving a peace sign, and the words "World Industries" with the website "www.worldind" partly visible. There is a ladle-shaped object with a world map design leaning against the bed and a window with curtains letting in bright light.
A group of six young skaters posing together at a skate park at night. They are holding skateboards and dressed casually, with some wearing hats and glasses. Bright lights illuminate the scene, with a sporty background and a fence surrounding the area.
A young person sitting on a red bench at night, holding a colorful game box with caution and warning signs on it, dressed in a sports jersey, with dark hair and a bracelet on their wrist.
A skateboard with a blue glow-in-the-dark design featuring world maps and a red caution sign that reads "Caution: Green Screen."

CAIRO

SUPPORT MERAKI SKATEBOARDS GROWTH

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