Maurice Ashley is the 1st black chess international grandmaster, 1999.  

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William Edmondson is the 1st black artist to have a solo exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art; New York, 1937.

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Will T. Ribbs was the 1st black driver to qualify for the Indy 500, 1991.

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Misty Copeland is the 1st black person promoted to principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre, 2015.

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Vanessa Williams is the 1st woman to win Miss America; representing New York, 1983.

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Julie Mehretu is the 1st black artist whose work ranks among the most expensive at auction by a living female artist, 2013.

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Mike Carey is the 1st black person to referee a Super Bowl, 2008.  

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Gordon Parks is the 1st black staff photographer and writer at Life magazine, 1948.

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Tia Norfleet first black woman to be licensed as a Nascar driver, 2016.

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Alma Thomas was the 1st student to receive a degree from the art department at Howard University, 1924.

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