America 250: Celebrating the Free and Enslaved Black Men Who Fought In the American Revolutionary War 1775 - 1778

We are pleased to welcome Professor Darnell A. Morehand-Olufade for a timely celebration of Black History Month as we look at the role of Black men - both free and enslaved - who fought in the American Revolutionary War 1775 - 1778. Professor Morehand-Olufade will present her research and guide us through this historic period in our country's history with a focus on a group we don't necessarily associate with that period of time.

Professor Morehand-Olufade's presentation will cover the following topics:

1. Black population at the onset of the War
2. Names and battles of Black men who fought as soldiers in the Continental Army
3. Early War attempts to bar Black men from serving in the Army
4. Motivations for Black men to enlist
5. Black Continental patriot soldiers received equal pay and mostly equal treatment
6. Lord Dunmore, British Governor of Virginia, formed the 'Ethiopian Regiment' (Black Loyalist soldiers) 1775
7. The Women of Color - followers of the American Revolutionary War

Q & A will follow the presentation.

Darnell A. Morehand-Olufade

Professor Morehand-Olufade has a B.A. in History (American Studies) from Arizona State University with a minor in Ethnic Studies, and a M.Ed. from Northern Arizona University with an emphasis on Higher Education Administration and Instruction. Among the courses she has taught are African American History; Principles of Ethnic Studies; and United States History. She was awarded the title of Professor Emeritus in 2009 by Arizona State University.

Presently residing in Wilton, CT, she was born in Manhattan and has lived and worked in Arizona, California, Wisconsin and New York. She has traveled extensively and lived and worked in Nigeria, West Africa for 12 years, where she witnessed the reconstruction of the country after the end of the Civil War in 1970.

Registration for this program is suggested.