STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Black history is woven throughout the rich history of Staten Island.
Staten Island is both home to the oldest continuously inhabited free Black settlement in the entire United States and the birthplace of one of the most iconic old school hip-hop groups around. From trailblazing athletes to leaders that are the cornerstones of our communities today, there is so much to celebrate and even more to learn about.
In honor of Black History Month, we put together some of our favorite photos illustrating Black history from the @ClassicStatenIsland page.
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1912: Three boys from Sandy Ground, the first free black community in New York State
1940s: Sonny Logan, one of three Staten Islanders that played in the Negro Leagues
1983: Touch of Class – the first minority motorcycle club on Staten Island
1900: Founder of the Staten Island branch of the NAACP, William A. Morris, and his brother
2007: Evelyn Morris King – educator, activist, historian, and daughter of William A. Morris
1979: Shirley Chisholm, the first African-American woman elected to Congress, speaking at Fellowship Baptist Church in Mariners Harbor
1988: Reverend Jesse Jackson’s presidential campaign stop in Stapleton
1960s: Arnold Obey – star basketball player, coach, educator, and marathon runner
1972: Legendary marathon runner Art Hall
1968: 17-year-old high jumper Frances Bush, the first female Staten Islander to qualify for the U.S. Olympic trials
1992: 18-year-old Robert Pipkins, the first Islander to qualify for the Winter Olympics
2002: Earlene Bethel-Sperling, a pillar of the North Shore community and one of the founders of the Staten Island Hurricanes
1997: Renowned hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan performing on Park Hill Day
2002: Children of the Village, P.S. 14 dance group, performing at Black History Month celebration
1982: Local track and field coach Willie Black Jr. meant so much to so many
1910: Helen DeHart as a child with friends
1983: Greg Pedro helped lead St. Peter’s High School
1980s: Residents flocked to Bishop’s blacksmith shop to watch him forge ornamental iron
Muhammad Ali visited Staten Island several times
1967: Sandy Ground