STATEN ISLAND, NY – Black history is woven into the rich history of Staten Island.

Staten Island is home to both the oldest permanently inhabited free black colony in the United States and the birthplace of one of the most iconic old school hip-hop groups. From trailblazing athletes to the leaders who are the cornerstones of our communities today, there is so much to celebrate and even more to learn.

In honor of Black History Month, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite photos depicting the Black history of the @ClassicStatenIsland page.

Like and follow our Instagram and Facebook pages to see more vintage Staten Island Advance photos from our archives and submitted by readers every day.

1912: Three boys from Sandy Ground, New York State’s first free black community

1940s: Sonny Logan, one of three Staten Islanders to play in the black 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 the Fellowship Baptist Church in Mariners Harbor

1988: Reverend Jesse Jackson’s presidential campaign stops at Stapleton

1960s: Arnold Obey – star basketball player, trainer, educator and marathon runner

1972: Legendary Art Hall marathon runner

1968: Frances Bush, 17, high jumper, is the first woman from Staten Island to qualify for the US Olympic Trials

1992: Robert Pipkins, 18, is 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: Famous hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan performs on Park Hill Day

2002: Village children, dance group PS 14, during the celebration of Black History Month

1982: Local track coach Willie Black Jr. meant a lot to so many

1910: Helen DeHart as a child with friends

1983: Greg Pedro helped run St. Peter’s High School

1980s: Residents flock to Bishop’s Forge to watch him forge ornamental iron

Muhammad Ali has visited Staten Island several times

1967: land of sand