HISTORY

How Black Mutual Aid Groups Paved The Way For Racial Progress

Unity became Black Americans' most valuable asset

Mother and her baby sitting on grass in park | Photo by Brianna Lisa Photography via Pexels

There's an old African proverb. "If you want to go fast, go alone. But, if you want to go far, go together." This mirrors the sentiment of Black people who founded mutual aid groups as early as the 1700s. They realized individual success was an insufficient goal. Achieving racial progress requires clearing a path wide enough for many more to pass through. That's why, whenever possible, Black Americans worked together to overcome unjust conditions. Unity became their greatest asset. Once free, they acquired skills and taught them to whom they could. An "each one, teach one," type of deal. Many founded mutual aid groups to meet the needs of the black community. In this era, black history lessons are often brushed to the side. Yet, this narrative offers valuable insights that are still applicable today.

Absalom Jones and Richard Allen founded the Free African Society in 1787. This was the earliest of its kind on record. Along with other Black Pennsylvania leaders, they offered a variety of community services. Their primary goal was "to support one another in sickness and for the benefit of their widows and children." Members paid one shilling in silver each month. They relied upon a Quaker…