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Idaho's Black Heritage and History

February marks Black History Month, honoring the contributions African Americans have made and recognizing their sacrifices. Idaho has a dark history of white supremacy, a history that continues to crop up in news today. But the state is also home to a resilient and proud community of Black and African American Idahoans. For some, their history in this majority-white state goes back generations.
A historic picture of the Erma Hayman House. Jeanne Madry-Young Collection, MS078, Boise City Archives.
Jeanne Madry-Young Collection, MS078, Boise City Archives
Last week, the Department of Defense announced it would no longer honor cultural awareness months, including Black History Month, but a coalition is going forward with events to honor the contributions of Black Idahoans.
Erma Andree Madry Hayman lived to the age of 102.
Her legacy will inspire generations to come.
Celebrating Erma Hayman
We Are Idaho features Idahoans from all walks of life telling their stories of living here in their own words.
We Are Idaho: Jessie Levin
Jessie Levin helped plan last summer’s vigil at the Idaho State Capitol to remember African Americans killed by police violence. After the gathering, the…
We Are Idaho: Gabrielle Davis
My name is Gabrielle Davis. I am the owner and counselor for Equitable Counseling and Consulting based in Boise.When I came here, I was looking for a way…
We Are Idaho: Keith Anderson
My name is Keith Anderson. I work for the TRIO Program at Boise State as an educational specialist.The TRIO Program is a government program which works…
We Are Idaho: Mae Gaines
My name is Mae Gaines and I'm the owner of Vegan Soul in Boise, Idaho.I came from California. I've been a vegan for three years now. I went vegan one year…
We Are Idaho: Mone't Alberts
My name is Mone’t Alberts. I am a student at Boise State in Biomedical Tissue Engineering, and I grew up in Boise, Idaho.I went to elementary, middle,…
We Are Idaho: Leta Harris Neustaedter
My name is Leta Harris Neustaedter. I am an arts educator, a musician, an actor, a licensed clinical social worker and community organizer.I started to…
We Are Idaho: Tai Simpson "The Storyteller"
Everything is based in stories. We want to be understood in our most human level, and storytelling is the easiest way to do that. When I create spaces for…