Legendary Skateboarding Photographer Speaks at SDSU

Atiba Jefferson shares his journey from being kicked off campus to becoming an acclaimed sports and music photographer.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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For Black History Month, San Diego State University's Center for Skateboarding and Action Sports and Social Change hosted a forum featuring renowned skateboarding photographer Atiba Jefferson. Jefferson discussed his path from being kicked off the SDSU campus as a young skater to becoming a renowned photographer whose work has appeared in major magazines and for high-profile musical artists.

Why it matters

The event celebrated Jefferson's contributions to skateboarding culture and Black excellence in sports and art. It highlighted how SDSU has evolved to embrace skateboarding culture after previously trying to keep skaters off campus, reflecting broader changes in how universities engage with action sports communities.

The details

Jefferson, known for his skateboarding and NBA photography, shared how he initially struggled with skateboarding but found his calling in photography. After taking classes and assisting renowned photographer Grant Brittain, Jefferson's career took off, leading to work for iconic skateboarding magazines and music artists.

  • Jefferson started skateboarding in his early teenage years.
  • Jefferson enrolled in community college and took photography classes.
  • Jefferson called Transworld Magazine, where photographer Grant Brittain took him under his wing.
  • The SDSU event took place in March 2026 for Black History Month.

The players

Atiba Jefferson

A legendary photographer known for his skateboarding and NBA images, as well as music photography for artists like Tyler the Creator.

Grant Brittain

A renowned photographer who mentored Jefferson and allowed him to assist and work at Transworld Magazine, changing the trajectory of his career.

Dr. Neftalie Williams

The director of SDSU's Center for Skateboarding, Action Sports and Social Change, who organized the event to celebrate Jefferson's contributions.

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What they’re saying

“This is a huge honor, thanks to everyone for coming out. I would have never thought 30 years ago when I'm getting kicked out of this campus that I would ever come back to speak.”

— Atiba Jefferson (nbcsandiego.com)

“You know, I learned so much from him. He taught me how to take portraits, but also some skateboarding and just how to communicate and work with people.”

— Atiba Jefferson (nbcsandiego.com)

What’s next

The event was part of SDSU's Black History Month programming, so there are no clear next steps directly related to this specific forum.

The takeaway

Atiba Jefferson's journey from being kicked off the SDSU campus as a young skater to becoming a renowned photographer celebrated in a university forum reflects the evolution of how universities engage with action sports communities and the power of mentorship to transform lives.