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Our Heritage

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The Black American Heritage Flag
 

Created in 1967 by Melvin Charles and Gleason T. Jackson during the Civil Rights Movement, the Black American Heritage Flag honors the history, identity, and contributions of Black Americans. Its design offers a shared expression of pride while recognizing the struggles and sacrifices that have shaped the Black American experience. 


The flag features a diagonal black stripe between two red stripes, with a golden fig-leaf wreath and a blunted sword at its center. Black expresses pride in Black identity, while red remembers the blood sacrificed in the pursuit of freedom and equal treatment. The golden wreath signifies peace, prosperity, and enduring life, and the blunted sword conveys pride. Together, these elements connect remembrance of the past with hope for future generations. 

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The Juneteenth Flag
 

The Juneteenth Flag celebrates freedom and honors the emancipation of enslaved Black Americans. Created in 1997 by Ben Haith and later refined by illustrator Lisa Jeanne Graf, it commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union troops announced and enforced emancipation in Galveston, Texas. Its red, white, and blue colors affirm that Black American history belongs within the larger American story.

 

At its center, a white star represents both Texas and freedom for Black Americans across the nation. The surrounding starburst symbolizes a new beginning, while the curved boundary between the red and blue suggests a horizon of possibility. Together, these elements celebrate liberation while reminding us to carry its promise forward through remembrance, opportunity, and a continued commitment to equality. 

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Grace Wisher: A Place in America’s Fabric
 

Grace Wisher was a free Black girl from Baltimore who helped create one of America’s most recognizable historical flags—the Star-Spangled Banner. Apprenticed to flagmaker Mary Pickersgill at about ten years old, Grace learned sewing and domestic skills. In 1813, she worked alongside Pickersgill and other young women to produce the flag that would become closely associated with the nation’s identity. 

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Grace’s labor helped bring this enduring symbol into existence, although her name has received far less recognition than others connected to its story. 
 

Much of Grace’s life remains undocumented. Remembering her contribution gives us a fuller understanding of American history and honors the Black women and girls whose work helped shape the nation, even when their own stories were left largely untold. 

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