Gaspar Yanga founded the first free Black town in the Americas around 1570 — over 200 years before the United States existed. The town of Yanga in Veracruz, Mexico still bears his name today.
The Story of Gaspar Yanga
Gaspar Yanga is believed to have been a prince of the Bran people of West Africa (modern-day Gabon/Equatorial Guinea region) before being captured and enslaved. Transported to New Spain (Mexico), he escaped from the sugarcane plantations of Veracruz around 1570 and disappeared into the mountains near what is now Córdoba.
In the mountains, he gathered other runaway enslaved Africans — cimarrones — and built a self-sufficient free community. For nearly 40 years, his Maroon community raided Spanish supply convoys, freed enslaved people, and successfully defended itself against Spanish military expeditions sent to destroy it.
In 1609, the Spanish sent a major military force of 550 soldiers to crush Yanga's settlement. Yanga's forces, though outnumbered, fought effectively — using their knowledge of the mountain terrain and guerrilla tactics. The Spanish suffered significant casualties and the battle was inconclusive.
Negotiations followed, and in 1618 Spain signed a formal treaty recognizing the freedom of Yanga's community and granting them their own town — San Lorenzo de los Negros (later renamed Yanga). It became the first officially recognized free Black town in the Americas — predating American independence by over 150 years. The town of Yanga in Veracruz, Mexico still bears his name.
Color Gaspar's Portrait
The Alphabet Book of Generals — Who Resisted White Supremacy and Won features a full-page coloring portrait of Gaspar with a color guide and fun fact. Perfect for children ages 4–12 and Black history education.
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