Trailblazer SPOTLIGHT: Jacqueline Wallace
Profession: Community Leader and Brand Ambassador
Years lived in Norfolk: 12
Email: jwallaceleap@gmail.com
Three Words to Describe you: Resilient, Strong, Dedicated
Pronouns: She/Her
Tell us about yourself.
I’m a mother, an Army brat (to 2 Army service veterans), and local emcee, affectionately known as “JackieLive” who has hosted everything from business empowerment conferences to music festivals, political rallies to extreme sports, red carpets to faith-based events, and more. Probably others I can’t remember, lol! Although I have a lot of experience in front of the camera, I’ve developed a strong passion for directing, scripting, and shooting various creative projects and interviews behind the camera while serving in the Media ministry at my church.
In my professional business development and marketing career, I currently work for a company that helps young adults, teens, and their families who suffer from mental health and substance abuse challenges. I have the privilege of using my skills and personality to amplify the causes I am connected to in many creative ways that honestly allow me to be ME for a living!
What is Rollbounce Rollout?
RollBounce RollOut is a truly remarkable mixed roller organization that has a fresh new take on the word community. Intentional diversity is our “secret sauce” as our “RBRO fam” ranges from the age of 5 to 75, from skates and skateboards to bikes and one-wheeleys, we’re providing spaces to experience the joy of what happens when creativity meets movement on wheels!
Post-COVID, I had recently picked up roller-skating again as an adult, but I didn’t have a skate community I felt I could be a part of. Fast forward to July of 2024, and I had the thought to create a unique 1-time rollout event on the Virginia Beach Boardwalk called JackieLive & Friends so that friends and the community at large could roll out with me and have a good time. Rollouts happen all over the country, but I wanted to put my fun, fresh spin on it. I reached out to some friends of mine who were local creatives, influencers, and business owners to deliver their expertise (SK8 Sistas, Karma Skate Shop, VB Roller Girls, Phryme Radio, Harvest Rooftop, Work Hard Play Harder). Immediately afterwards, people kept asking, “When’s the next one?” By September 2024, attendance peaked at almost 100 rollers for our first themed rollout, “Litty in the City.” We invited our first celebrity guest skate instructor, and we opened up to skate education for the first time.
From there, I knew the name had to be changed to reflect something that could be inclusive of everyone. As I pondered the name of our newfound community, the song “Roll, Bounce, Rock, Skate” by Vaughn Mason and Crew came to mind, and it was the inspiration that embodied the music, good vibe, and cool factor of who we are. Now with successful Rollout themes like Skate-Chella, Rolla-Bana, and Clash of the Cliques uniting roller enthusiasts of all kinds, the Rollbounce Rollout Community is a thriving place where friends are made, connection heals, and the good times keep rollin’ on wheels.
Since March of 2025, RollBounce RollOut has cornered the market for roller-skating education in Hampton Roads with four fun monthly skate dance choreography classes at DROP Fitness, weekly outdoor social skate sessions, and has taught over 350 beginner adults and children for free through rink partnerships.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, would you tell us your (very inspiring) story?
In January 2025, I was diagnosed with Stage 2 HER2+ Breast cancer, a fast-growing and aggressive form of breast cancer found in women of color with no history of any cancer in my family. At the time, our roller community was only six months old, and I didn’t quite know if I would be able to show up and give the energy needed to keep the community going.
I approached my co-founding teammates with the news, who said in return, “Jackie, whatever you want to do, we’ll be here to support you. Whether you want to slow down or keep it going, we have your back.” As I was given my treatment plan that consisted of chemo, surgery, and radiation, I began to think about all the things I’d have to stop doing as I’d become a reduced and debilitating version of who I used to be. As I struggled to embrace the fear of the unknown, I decided to retire JackieLive, the solo-star emcee, and explore the road of using my life energy in commitment to leadership in community service and connection with people.
The first day after my second round of chemotherapy, I woke up and ran my fingers through my hair as I had done thousands of times before, but this time by the twos and threes, a total of about 20 locs fell out of my scalp. I avoided mirrors the whole day, and I placed a wig on my head as I headed to our very first Roll & Bounce skate class to support our instructor Shanice, who was teaching for the very first time. I couldn’t help but have to look at myself in the mirror as we all worked through the skate routine. At that moment, I saw not just myself, though; there were about 20 students of all ethnicities and skate skill levels right behind me, and I remember saying out loud, “Today was still a Great Day.”
Skating and actively growing this community and steering it forward with my team and volunteers has been a contributing factor to my overall physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. I can’t imagine going through this (still actively in radiation as I write this) without all of them who have helped, especially in times I didn’t have the strength to. From attending meetings, recruiting new fam, attending the many things on our monthly calendar, making content, and doing wellness check-ins on me, it’s been a blessing. I also know beyond a shadow of a doubt that it is my faith in god that has enabled me to reach the greatness that Rollbounce Rollout has achieved.
How did you get connected to the trail and the Foundation?
I’ve always loved the beautiful Elizabeth River Trail and the iconic waterfront views paired with the tall, beautiful buildings of downtown Norfolk. Our RBRO Organization became connected to the ERT through Instagram after I had seen a few events that were being hosted on it and simply commented, “Can We Roll with you?”. In the later Spring months, I launched the Vibe ‘N Roll, our weekly social skate sessions that would help keep our community connected in between the once-a-month themed events. The ERT enabled us to explore various places in Norfolk that were smooth and safe from traffic, AND to get GREAT Instagrammable content. This was a triple win for us that we couldn’t find in any other city in Hampton Roads!
After meeting with the Director of the ERT Foundation, Kindra, and receiving a tour of more landmarks of the trail that we hadn’t even seen before, she and her team instantly became honorary ‘RBRO Fam’, and we set to work on our first collaboration for a PinkOut Rollout for breast Cancer Awareness. This collaboration brought other ERT friends and introductions to FR8 House Coffee and Spinclusion Adaptive bikes and trikes. Thank you so much, Kindra and ERT Team, for the fun time we’ve had so far!
Given your background, what benefits do you feel the trail has for Norfolk?
The strongest benefit that I see that the trail has from an All Wheels welcome community aspect is the length and amazing upkeep, and maintenance on the trail. I‘ll put it to you like this, there’s nothing more that ruins a roller (of any kind) than trash and unnecessary debris. “For the most part, (excluding weather debris and the occasional person who doesn’t use trash receptacles), the ERT is super smooth and clean and an amazing trail for our Vibe ‘N Roll Social skate sessions!” says Jeff, RBRO Social Skate leader!
What does being a part of the trail user community mean to you?
Being a part of the Trail user community means that we will do what’s necessary to contribute to the fun, safety, and longevity of the ERT. I remember being blown away as Kindra showed my co-founder and me so many beautiful ways that the trail connects between neighborhoods and nature. The most unique thing of all was that each post, art installation, garden, park, was connected to a story of another individual, group, business, or foundation that equally cared enough about the beauty and functionality of the ERT to contribute in a very lasting way for many to enjoy for years to come.
As a roller organization, we also promise to contribute to sharing the trail with our community, but also bring our own creative ways to roll and have fun for the community at large. We’re excited to bring the ERT Foundation allllll the good vibes.
If you met someone who just moved to Norfolk, what would you say to get them interested in the trail?
I would tell them about the stretch of the trail that is near the Sentara office buildings and follows near the USS Wisconsin and continues towards the Water Street Open Space. You can witness the best sunset on the water for that 2-mile stretch!
Do you have a favorite section of the ERT or a favorite spot on the trail?
Yes, Waterside with the beautiful Marina. I’ve personally caught the sunset cruise on the sailboat with massive sails. It’s my favorite place to sit and think at any time of day or night.
What is your favorite trailgrazing spot?
My favorite spot is FR8 House Coffee Co. Not only is it the place where me and one of my co-founders met the ERT Foundation Director, Kindra, for the first time, and the owners are amazing! The owners created a special Pink Drink menu for our Pink Out and surprised us with their creativity, which made a beautiful and lasting impression! Thanks guys!
