Black History Month - The Boston Globe

A bronze statue of Harriet Wilson, the first African American to publish a novel in English, in Milford, N.H.

New Hampshire

Honoring a trailblazing Black novelist in N.H.

The event unveiling a historical marker for Harriet E. Wilson, a trailblazing Black novelist from New Hampshire, will include much more than a few remarks about her historical significance. 10:06 a.m.

Portsmouth, N.H. Assistant Mayor Joanna Kelley stands in front of her coffee shop, Cup of Joe. Hateful graffiti, including swastikas, were spray painted at several locations around Portsmouth, including the front window of the coffee shop.

NH Politics

Swastika graffiti provokes neighborly outpouring of love and support in Portsmouth, N.H.

The targets included a synagogue, minority-owned businesses, and storefronts with rainbow flags, and victims say the vandalism conveyed anti-Jewish, anti-Black, and anti-LGBTQ sentiments. But the city refuses to tolerate such hatred. 5:57 p.m.

This Sept. 4, 2022 image released by MacDowell shows Chiwoniso Kaitano, who was named as its new executive director. Kaitano joins MacDowell with a mandate to “intensify outreach to traditionally underrepresented artistic voices,” among other charges, a release said. (Julie Bridgham/MacDowell via AP)

New Hampshire

New Hampshire’s MacDowell artist retreat taps Chiwoniso Kaitano to lead

Kaitano is the former executive director of Girl Be Heard, a nongovernmental organization that uses theater and the performing arts to advocate for social change. 2:31 p.m.

Embracing Black love: Rujeko Hockley and Hank Willis Thomas.

A Beautiful Resistance

The Black history I carry with me is love: Hank Willis Thomas

Love is our past, present, and future. A Beautiful Resistance celebrates Black love in a discussion with the creator of "The Embrace." 1:34 p.m.

Derrick Young Jr. and Jonathan Allen, husbands and co-founders of Leadership Brainery.

A Beautiful Resistance

The Black history I carry with me is love: Jonathan Allen and Derrick Young Jr.

A Beautiful Resistance celebrates Black love, as told to Jeneé Osterheldt. 1:51 p.m.

Chinua Achebe, a visiting professor in English and Afro-American studies at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, addressed a group of people at a reception March 9, 1988, including Black scholars and writers Dr. Wilfred Cartey, Professor William Strickland, Quincy Troupe, Malaika Adero, and Professor Arnold Rampersad.

Higher Education

UMass project honoring its Black history continues after death of founder John Bracey Jr.

The University of Massachusetts Amherst's Black Presence Project collects stories of Black students, faculty, and alumni to preserve and celebrate the history of Black life on campus. 5:26 p.m.

Grinding cocoa beans was laborious work that began with carrying sacks of cocoa bean bits and nibs, grinding them down to a thick paste, and cooking them over burning charcoal.

Rhode Island Food & Dining

More Black Rhode Islanders who shaped the state’s culinary history

Prince Updike, an enslaved African man in 18th century Rhode Island, was tasked with grinding cocoa beans finer than what could be done with mill stones. 6:03 p.m.

Charity “Duchess” Quamino, who was freed from slavery in 1780, started her own business and became known as the great “pastry queen of Rhode Island." Her speciality was a frosted plum cake, and it was a favorite of General George Washington, who is said to have eaten it at catered events.

Rhode Island Food & Dining

A West African woman, once called the ‘pastry queen’ of Rhode Island, baked her way to freedom

Charity “Duchess” Quamino was an enslaved woman during the peak of northern slavery. While working for an affluent Newport family, she became known for her famous plum cakes. 6:05 p.m.