Lemuel Haynes, Revolutionary War veteran, licensed to preaching to the Congregational Church. After the winter of Valley Forge, Black slaves and free men were welcomed into the American Army. There were Black soldiers in the Revolutionary army from all of the original thirteen colonies. Most of the estimated five thousand Black soldiers fought in integrated units. Blacks soldiers were in the front lines in most of the big battles of the war. They were at White Plains, Stillwater, Bennington, Bemis Heights, Saratoga, Stony Points, Trenton, Princeton, Eutaw, S.C., and Yorktown. Blacks were critical factors in the battles of Rhode Island, Long Island, Red Bank, Savannah, Monmouth and Fort Griswold. There were Black fifers and drummers in some units.

Congressman Clayton Powell, Jr., politician and civil rights activist was born in New Haven, Conn.

Alice Childress becomes the first African American woman to receive an Obie Award for her play, Trouble in Mind.

England John Wesley baptisted the first two known Black converts to the Methodism movement.

Blending African and Caribbean sources with American traditions of blues, jazz, and jitterbug, Pearl Primus created new and vibrant forms of dance.

Ivyees Everything Honey is the first black-owned business in the historic neighborhood, something Mayor Marty Walsh says strengthens this city.

“When you talk about small businesses like this, family owned businesses, they invest their whole livelihood,” Walsh said.

Ivy hopes you’ll visit her new North End home while holiday shopping, but you can also find her products on Amazon and in Whole Foods.