The Pioneers: Firsts in Black Skateboarding


PIONEERS TITLE
We owe a big debt to the Black skaters who paved the way. Check the history to see the trailblazers who made it happen and made skateboarding better for all. As seen in our September '20 issue.

First Black Skater in a Magazine with a Caption Charles Williams The Quarterly Skateboarder Spring 1965 First Black Pro Skaters Marty Grimes and Clyde Grimes
First Ad in a Magazine featuring a Black Skater Larry Bertlemann First Black Skater on a European Magazine Cover Gilbert Angol May 1978 First Black Skater with a Pro Board Marty Grimes Z-Flex 1979 First Black Skater on a US Magazine Cover Chuck Treece May 1984 First Black Skater Appearance in a Major Skate Video Steve Steadham Powell-Peralta Bones Brigade Video Show 1984

First Black Skater to do a 540 Don Hillsman 1985 First Black Team Manager Bryan Ridgeway Tracker First Black Skate Photographer Dobie Campbell United Kingdom First Black Owned Company SHUT Skates 1986 and Steve Steadham Designs 1986 First Black European Skater with a Pro Board Neil Danns First Black Skater with a Pro Street Board Ron Allen H-Street 1988 First Black Skater with a Pro Board from the East Coast Ned "Peanut" Brown Airbourne 1988 First Black Female Pro Skater Stephanie Person 1988 First Black Skater with a Solo Video Part Ron Allen H-Street Shackle Me Not 1988 First Black Skater to Have Las Part in a Video Sean Sheffey Life Soldier's Story 1991

First Black Skater's Pro Shoe Model Sal Babier Etnies 1994
First Black Canadian Skater with a Pro Board Gailea Momolu First Black Australian Skater with a Pro Board Chima Ferguson First Black Skateboarding World Champion Nyjah Huston SLS 2010 First Black SOTY Ishod Wair 2013 First Black Woman with a Pro Board Samarria Brevard Hoopla 2016 First Video Part by a Black Woman Samarria Brevard Quit Your Day Job 2018


First Black Skater to Finish First in a Pool Contest Zion Wright Vans Park Series 2018
Have a correction, addendum or idea for a missing category or fact? Please leave suggestions in the comments. Thank you!
  • P-Stone Cup 2024 Photos

    P-Stone Cup 2024 Photos
    The fifth annual P-Stone Cup brought out an all-time cast of legends and current stars. Joe Brook reports from the course to bring you a close-up view of the action.
  • Megan Baltimore: People I've Known

    Megan Baltimore: People I've Known
    As Girl skateboards celebrates its 30th anniversary, it may surprise many that this company has been run by an actual woman the entire time. The friends, acquaintances and antagonists Megan has acquired over the years could fill, if not a book, at least a Thrasher magazine article. As seen in the May 2023 issue.
  • Girl's 30 Year Party Photos

    Girl's 30 Year Party Photos
    Girl brought out everyone from the OGs to the current roster to celebrate three decades in the game. Papke pops in to see the art, the fans and the family they've made along the way.
  • 510 Skateshop's 25-Year Anniversary Bash Photos

    510 Skateshop's 25-Year Anniversary Bash Photos
    Ducky, Poohrail, Lara and some of the East Bay's best showed up in droves to help 510 ring in 25 years in biz. If DJ Juan Love's spinnin', you know you gotta see what's goin' down. 
  • Skateline: 08.08.2023

    Skateline: 08.08.2023
    Gary talks Spitfire's Gonz in NYC video, Sheckler's My War, Lakai's Bubble video, Jaws' El Toro heelflip attempts and more in today's episode of Skateline