There has been a barrier-breaking first on Long Island.
On Tuesday, a fire department created back in 1898 swore in its first Afro/Latino fire commissioner.
In a very diverse community, African-American leaders say that's reason to celebrate.
Rasheen "Roc" Williams' extended family and his fire department family applauded him in a historic first.
One of Long Island's most diverse communities, Brentwood is 85% Hispanic and Black, but has never had a black fire commissioner in its 125-year history, until now.
Williams is Black and Latino.
"I'm humble about it. I accept the mantle, but that's not what I ran for. I ran to do right by my community," Williams said.
He began saving lives just out of high school.
"Me and my cousins were walking by the firehouse and said, 'I wonder what's in there.' So they dared me," Williams said.