Today in Black History: February 11, 1644 Enslaved Africans protested and won their freedom establishing the first black community of freed Africans.

Recognized as the first settlement established by freed Africans on the American continent, right here in New York City, (at the time known as New Amersterdam) eleven African petitioned for their freedom after fulfilling the term of their “contracts” to a Dutch Company. This community is located in what is now known as the heart of Manhattan’s art and fashion scenes.