First chartered in 1822, Kingsport was developed as the industrial center of the Tri-cities (Bristol, Kingsport, Johnson City), and is the largest of the three.

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Both free and enslaved people were living in and around Kingsport at it's inception. In 1830, Sullivan County recorded 245 Free People of Color and 1322 enslaved people (8 of which were held by Kingsport's founder William King).

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During the growth of industrialization at the turn of the century, the Black community grew significantly as families moved from agricultural work to urban service provision and factory work.

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Black educational facilities, churches, businesses and clubs were eventually developed in support of these growing communities. One such neighborhood that was created specifically for African Americans to live during the Jim Crow era was Riverview. Built on the site of a toxic waste dump, Riverview become the hub of Black education, business and socialization.