From Civil Unrest to Community Pride: The True Story Behind the Black American Heritage Flag

Communities across Massachusetts are celebrating Black History Month with raising the Black American Heritage flag. 22 News reporter Sarah Bien-Aimé has the significance of the flag after speaking with the family who helped design it. When he was young he would watch parades and there was no flag for Black Americans. At a time where there was a nationwide outbreak of civil disorders centered in Detroit and Newark, two men created a historic flag to represent the best of Black American culture, and the daughter of Melvin Charles was behind the scenes of the process. The black stripe in the center represents our color. The red diagonals on either side represent the blood that was shed. The wreath in the center, the fig wreath, represents prosperity. The sword represents strength. From taking years to complete the Black American Heritage flag, then getting rejected from raising it in their hometown, they never thought the flag would now be a symbol all over the world. The first flag raising was at Newark City Hall in 1968. And Springfield, Massachusetts is just one of many places that has been raising that flag for the last 40 years. I'm black and I'm proud. And he went every year until his health deteriorated. But he loved the people of Springfield because they were the only ones who really recognized the flag in a big way. Ever since 2021, Joy has been keeping his legacy alive by becoming the founder of the Black American Heritage Flag, LLC. Working for you, Sarah Bien-Aime, 22 News.