Our Story

Born in 1973 In the Lower East Side of Manhattan, NY, to two Puerto Rican Caribbean parents, Young Ben found an admiration and a Passion for Graffiti art, alongside his other interests in BMX and Skateboarding. Growing up in the inner-City, Ben quickly became a student of the rich Latino and Black culture that was Salsa, Jazz, & Hip Hop. His graffiti style became heavily influenced by the 1980s subway graffiti movement. Ben’s family eventually moved to the Astoria Queens Housing Projects where Ben continued thriving in Grafitti, BMX, & Skateboarding and cultivating his love for the street-inspired arts. Once a father though, Ben redirected & found creative ways to continue his work as an artist, & now, a commissioned artist.

During COVID-19, he designed a graphic on a Skateboard deck, and Soul City was born. As Soul City’s founder, he continues to be one-half of the creative force behind the brand and aims to grow it to its full potential alongside his long-time friend and partner, Yanina.

Born in the boogie-down Bronx, circa 1979, The young Puerto Rican, Dominican, Mexican NiNa, exhibited a love for all things colorful, all art forms & mediums, performative & musical, creative & collaborative. Surrounded constantly by siblings, cousins, And neighbors running through the halls, buildings, and parks of a dismal concrete jungle, Nina became a leader of activities known for her incredible and endless imagination. Nina’s parents, little brother and her self moved to Maspeth Queens, NY, in search of a better life before she reached High school. In College, she immersed herself in the world of journalism, including poetry, spoken word & music. After some college, she began working at a family-owned preschool/daycare, teaching art to grades 1-8, and participating in after-school programs throughout the NYC tri-state area.

Once becoming a wife and a Mom of 2 boys, She decided to chase the the dream of being an entrepreneurial Artist, creating cake art, Hosting events, and teaching art at local venues in communities in and around Astoria Queens.

During Covid, she had a long battle with Ovarian Cancer and eventually beat it and was reborn.

Yanina witnessed Soul City at its conception but once she and Ben were reunited, they understood that they were to come together to parent what is now -Soul City Skateboards- and base it on the main construct of their long friendship of being a good soul!