It wasn’t too long ago that it was wholly uncool to be Black and on top of a skateboard. Resistance came in the form of everything: from being teased to the point where you couldn’t even bare to look at your deck, to getting your ass beaten by haters, and having your board smashed into a million pieces. Yet, thanks to the renaissance of the sport, its increasingly global nature, and the imagery put forth by semi-mainstream “skate-hop” rappers like Lupe Fiasco and The Pack, it’s now perfectly fine to throw down some heelflips in the ‘hood. Word.

Of course, as with any revolution, history most readily records the travails of those at the fore of the fight. Sure, the aforementioned factors have played a part in the change, but someone had to get out there and win some damn respect, yeah. This month, Montreal online lifestyle magazine What’s Really Good? aims to celebrate those Black skateboarders who pounded the pipes, parks, ramps and pavement to help change the dynamic of the sport and open doors for generations of skaters to come. Launched in collaboration with Montreal’s Series Skateboards, WRG?’s “Black History Month Project” involves education (a crossword featured on the site in which Black skate heroes serve as the puzzle’s answers) and goodies (packages including one of a limited run of 100 Series x WRG? skateboards/a limited edition Sharpie/a poster, one of which could be yours after you complete the puzzle).

Referencing old guard thrashers such as Ray Barbee, the late, great Harold Hunter and Kareem Campbell, the puzzle throws in a few new schoolers for good measure. And sure, Illadelph street wizard Stevie Williams had to endure being disrespected on the reg, and even being called a “trashy nigger”. But after getting his weight up (not his hate up), the “dirty ghetto kid” is a shining example of how far Blacks in skateboarding have come (i.e. spots in video games, a deal with Reebok and his own skateshop). WRG? founder Leslie Woods offers, “I hope that this project encourages everyone to learn more about black history and skateboarding. Black history is not only a black thing. It’s important for people to know, understand and discuss all cultures. It’s discussion and learning that will lead to acceptance and the end of racism”. Respeck.

And to wrap up the month, the deck in question will be featured alongside a collection of photos, paintings, multimedia and installations centered around skateboarding and black history. Featuring contributors from both the MTL and the international scene, it’s going down at Tokyo Night Club on February 28th. Do it to it, do it to it.

All the info can be found here. The puzzle is here, and you’re welcome for the pseudo-hints on the crossword tip, p.s.