The Pioneers: Firsts in Black Skateboarding

9/04/2020

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 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 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!

11/22/2023

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.
10/19/2023

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.
9/25/2023

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.
8/08/2023

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.
7/25/2023

Skateline: 07.25.2023

Gary talks Girl's OntourOz video, HOMIES: Pittlanta video, Ron Allen's Guest Board, Isle's Dreamers video and more in today's episode of Skateline.

Thrasher Magazine

The Pioneers: Firsts in Black Skateboarding

Megan Baltimore: People I've Known

Girl's 30 Year Party Photos

510 Skateshop's 25-Year Anniversary Bash Photos

Skateline: 08.08.2023

Skateline: 07.25.2023