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On this last day of Black History Month, I present to you three people from the period of slave trading.

Queen Nanny

Queen Nanny was born in Ghana, West Africa. She was kidnapped into slavery and brought to the island of Jamaica, where she led slave uprisings for freedom and revolts against the British. Escaping from slavery led her to the mountains where she joined communities with other freed slaves. Queen Nanny planned and executed successful attacks on plantations and helped free over 1,000 enslaved Africans over her lifetime. She is held as a national hero in Jamaica and is credited with preserving African culture on the island.

Gaspar Yanga

Yanga was believed to be a member of the royal family of Gabon. He was captured, sold into slavery and brought to México, where he eventually escaped his chains. He led other stolen Africans to liberty, and established the first free Black settlement in the Americas in the highlands of Veracruz. The settlement remained hidden for over 30 years, but it was eventually attacked by the Spanish. After years of bloody battles, the local government heeded to Yanga’s terms: recognition of the free Black settlements. In 1630, San Lorenzo de los Negros de Cerralvo was officially recognized by the govern­ment, and the people left in peace. The settlement remains today in the Veracruz region of México, appropriately renamed “Yanga.”

Queen Nzinga

Nzinga was queen of the Mbundu people of present day Angola. The Mbundu people are one the the oldest and largest ethnic groups within Angola, and they remain within the region to this day. Nzinga’s father showed her incredible favor by allowing her to be at his side as he governed, and he even brought her along as he carried out military battles. Nzinga was trained in archery, hunting and diplomacy alongside of her brother, from whom she would inherit the throne. When Nzinga was queen, the Transatlantic slave trade began nearing her shores—she knew that her kingdom and people were in danger. As the Portuguese arrived in the country, she used her impeccable diplomatic skills to outwit them. Nzinga had learned to speak fluent Portuguese from a priest that her people had taken as prisoner, and she pretended to convert to Catholicism to form diplomatic treaties with Portugal. This led to peace and protection for her people while other tribes were being conquered and sold into slavery. Once the Portuguese turned on Nzinga and broke the treaties they made with her, she led successful military strikes against them. Through her brilliant strategies on the battlefield, her armies were able to keep the Portuguese at bay for more than forty years. She is regarded as one of the greatest military leaders in history, and a true hero of Black freedom.

To read about 27 other Black heroes from around the world, ancient and contemporary, click HERE.