Dr. Laurant "Drelġé" Jolly

Founder and Executive Director

Dr. Laurant "Drelġé" Jolly (he/him) serves as Founder and Executive Director of F.L.Y. Skates Foundation Inc. A retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel, Dr. Jolly brings over 30 years of leadership experience spanning military service, federal executive roles, higher education, and community building. His journey from Private to Lieutenant Colonel included leading teams in IT, communications, public affairs, and strategic planning before retiring after three decades of federal service, including as United States Search and Rescue Satellite-Aided Tracking Operations Manager.

As a lifelong skater, author, and educator, Dr. Jolly created the foundation's signature mantra: F.L.Y. Skates (First Love Yourself – Share Knowledge and Together Everyone Serves). His vision combines skating culture with trauma-informed wellness practices to heal communities and build intergenerational connections. Dr. Jolly's academic credentials include a Doctor of Management in Organizational Leadership, multiple master's degrees in fields ranging from Psychology to Technology, and he continues his education pursuing an MS in Industrial and Organizational Psychology at Walden University.

Beyond the foundation, Dr. Jolly co-founded the JiveBiscuit Skate Family Reunion, a movement celebrating skate culture for over 18 years. He authored "G.R.A.S.P. (Glide, Roll, Axel, Spin, Pivot - 101 Facts about Roller Skating)" and co-authored "The Evolution of Skating (Volume VIII)." As creator of the Drelġé Podcast™, F.L.Y. Skates, LLC™, and the broader Drelġé Legacy Universe™, Dr. Jolly's work connects skating to education, storytelling, and community transformation, bringing together his experiences as a proud Black, gay veteran to create lasting social change through movement.