If you haven’t heard of the Melanin Coaster Network yet, here’s your chance!  This group was founded in February 2022 as a way for coaster enthusiasts of color to come together and share their passion. Founder CEO Martina Moore, Jr (aka Prime), has an infectious personality that is inspiring coaster enthusiasts from across the country to join the new networking group and attend their events. Join us as Prime and MCN President Brichette Reid share their amazing story.

The group started with an informal meetup at Carowinds to celebrate Juneteenth in 2022 and has grown quickly. MCN celebrated their 1st anniversary with an amazing event at Six Flags Magic Mountain. Sporting their epically cool MCN shirts, the group enjoyed the rest of the day together, sharing their love of coasters, trading stories about different parks and wrapping up the formal event with a buffet under the watchful eye of X2.

But MCN goes beyond the parks – they’re changing the world by connecting college (and potential college) students with mentors in the theme parks, they’re working with Universal Orlando to expand the presence of people of color in the workforce and they make amazing ride videos.

In this very full episode:

[01:01] What is MCN?  Prime Junior introduces the group and his love of coasters (shout out to Steel Vengeance) 

[03:30] Brichette Reid’s journey as a coaster enthusiast started with the Scooby Doo at Kings Dominion

[05:39] The MCN is born – this is a not-miss story!

[13:00] Prime and Brichette are both ACE members, ACE events inspire them as they plan MCN events

[18:45] MCN is partnering with Universal Orlando to bring more people of color as employees!

[26:00] The network is coordinating mentors for hopeful theme park employees

[30:00] MCN’s ride videos

Learn more about the Melanin Coaster Network: https://www.melanincoasternetwork.org/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Melanincoasternetwork Instagram: @melanin_coaster_network, TikTok: @melanincoasternet, Facebook

Join the MCN for their upcoming events (full listing available here): https://www.melanincoasternetwork.org/events 

Thursday, March 30, 2023

Network & Thrillz: The Universal Takeover

Friday, May 5, 2023

Fury Friday at Carowinds

Sunday, June 18, 2023

"Hotlanta" Fun Spot - ArieForce One

Monday, June 19, 2023

"Hotlanta" Six Flags Over Georgia

Become an ACE member at ridewithace.com/join

Join the team of ACE volunteers. Volunteering offers different ways to share your talents by:

• Having an impact on the future of ACE

Share your ideas and thoughts about this podcast via email: [email protected]. Visit ridewithace.com to learn more about the non-profit organization American Coaster Enthusiasts.

Podcast Volunteer Team 

Hosts: Jessica Gardner & John Davidson

Producer: Derek Perry

Editor: Ben Weinrach

Show Notes: Liz Tan 

Project Manager: Corey Wooten