Free African Society

The Free African Society was a mutual aid organization founded in 1787 in Philadelphia by African Americans, including Richard Allen. Its goal was to support Black communities by providing assistance such as working together to care for the sick, bury the dead, and offer social and spiritual support. The society helped enslaved and free African Americans navigate a society that often marginalized them, fostering a sense of community and self-reliance. It also laid the groundwork for later African American churches and civil rights organizations, emphasizing mutual aid, dignity, and leadership within Black communities.