chains & change

1500 - 1799

the world buzzed with the Age of Exploration, the Reformation, and the Enlightenment.

But it wasn’t all smooth sailing—Europeans colonized the Americas, and the transatlantic slave trade changed millions of African lives forever. Despite the tough times, the black community fought back, with heroes like Gaspar Yanga, who led a rebellion and established the first free African settlement in the Americas. Get ready for a timeline filled with inspiring stories of hope and change!

1681
Mexico 🇲🇽
first free black settlement in the Americas

fearless leader gasper yanga outsmarts spanish slavers and creates yanga, the first free african settlement in the americas!

1734
Germany 🇩🇪
first black doctorate holder in Europe

afro-german philosopher anton wilhelm amo earns his doctorate and becomes europe's first african smarty-pants!

1773
United States 🇺🇸
first black woman to publish poetry book

phillis wheatley makes literary waves when she becomes the first African American woman to publish a book of poetry!