Posts by Rebecca Bayeck

Kimpa Vita's life exemplifies resistance to Europeans’ invasion and colonization of Africa.

Washington was a teacher and writer who advocated for the rights of Black women in the 19th century.

She toured the world and was considered by many to be the greatest concert singer of the 19th century.

The work of artist and activist Robert Douglas Jr. served two purposes: reclaiming Black identity among Black people, while countering popular narratives about Blacks in the collective minds of Americans.

With his grocery store, he provided his community with essentials needed for daily living; as a real estate developer, he addressed housing issues; and without doubt, his political engagement was driven by the interests of the Black community.

The greatest legacy of Colonel John McKee is to have dared, and have succeeded in a business area in which Blacks were nonexistent in the 19th century.

His writings, sermons, speeches, and other literary works were avenues he employed to reclaim Black identity, and oppose narratives about the inferiority of the Black race.

“A picture is worth a thousand words”

She was an enslaved woman who lived more than 100 years, and even in her old age had tremendous mental, physical, and intellectual abilities.

First post of a series exploring lesser-known 19th century African Americans who in various ways fought to reclaim Black identity, and humanity, and contributed to the struggle for freedom.