Afro Americans Collection

Smiling man looking away while carrying bicycle against sky

Smiling man wearing hat standing against modern building in city

Franklin's return to Philadelphia, 1785. Benjamin Franklin, Richard Bache, his woman Sarah, Franklin's daughter, and their son Benjamin Franklin Bache at the Philadelphia harbour

Chair vender in Atlanta. Image from a magazine printed in 1879

Heroes of the Coloured Race. Head-and-shoulders portraits of Blanche Kelso Bruce, Frederick Douglass and Hiram Rhoades Revels surrounded by scenes of African American life and portraits of Jno

African American man talking on yellow phone, New York City, USA, North America

1940 black and white archival photo showing Black Afro-American labourers, workers preparing heavy bales of cotton for transport per ship, Texas, US

Full shot senior woman stretching indoors

Group of teenages is engaged in fitness on pier by the lake or river. Young and positive girls go in for sports. Muslim in a hijab, african american and white females are doing stretching in the park

Young adult happy fit slim healthy African American ethnic woman wearing sportswear sitting in yoga pose at home in living room, doing fitness morning workout exercises training

Young adult happy fit slim healthy African American ethnic woman wearing white clothes sitting in yoga pose at home in living room, doing fitness morning workout exercises training. buddha silhouette

Cropped photo of woman sitting in lotus pose on mat and practicing yoga, female doing namaste gesture while meditating indoors. Meditation and mindfulness concept

Cotton farmer
UNITED STATES - CIRCA 1930s: African-American farmer standing in cart filled with cotton drawn by mules, Louisiana. (Photo by H. Armstrong Roberts/Retrofile/Getty Images)

Railway Station Virginia USA Railroad Public
A railway station in Virginia, USA in the 19th century. From America Revisited: From The Bay of New York to The Gulf of Mexico, published 1886

Bolivian Plant In Late Afternoon Light

Afro-Americans picking cotton, USA. Postcard c1900

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Amidst the backdrop of American history, the experiences of Afro-Americans unfold in a complex tapestry of struggle and triumph. From the Railroad Stations of Virginia, where the chains of slavery were once broken by the Emancipation Proclamation, to the cotton fields where the labor of enslaved people fueled the economy, the story of Afro-Americans is one of resilience and determination. The heroes of the Colored Race, such as Blanche Kelso Bruce, Frederick Douglass, and Hiram Rhodes Revels, defied the odds and rose to prominence, becoming trailblazers in politics and advocacy. Their portraits stand as testaments to the progress made, yet reminders of the long journey towards equality. However, the harsh realities of slavery are not forgotten. Images of auctions, like the one in Richmond, Virginia, serve as stark reminders of the inhumanity and degradation that once defined the lives of millions. The Emancipation Proclamation, signed by President Lincoln and his cabinet in 1862, brought hope to enslaved people, paving the way for the Thirteenth Amendment and the eventual end of slavery. The jubilant celebrations that followed the passage of the Amendment are captured in engravings and illustrations, showcasing the elation and relief of a people finally free from bondage. The Mississippi Cotton Gin at Dahomey, once the world's largest cotton plantation, stands as a symbol of the oppressive system that sustained slavery. Today, the land that once held the weight of so much suffering is now the Dahomey National Wildlife Refuge, a testament to the transformative power of time and progress. As we reflect on the past, we are reminded of the long and arduous journey towards equality and justice for Afro-Americans. The images presented here serve as a reminder of the struggles, triumphs, and the ongoing fight for a more equitable society.