Ben Haith facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ben Haith
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Haith in 2023
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Hassie Benjamin Haith Jr.
1942 (age 82–83) Connecticut
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| Known for | Juneteenth flag |
Hassie Benjamin Haith Jr. (born 1942), also known as Boston Ben, is an American community leader. He is known for designing the Juneteenth flag. Ben Haith has worked with groups that help prevent crime since the 1980s. He also started the National Juneteenth Celebration Foundation.
Ben Haith's Work
Community Activism
Ben Haith is a community activist. This means he works directly with people in neighborhoods to make changes. He has often spoken out about unfairness in society. He has also been active in groups that work to stop crime. He believes in making sure that law enforcement is fair to everyone.
In 1983, when he was 40 years old, Ben Haith ran for a public office for the first time. He wanted to be a city council member for District 7 in Boston. This area had many African American residents. He told people he was a community activist and also owned an advertising business with his wife. He even ran his campaign from a tent! In 1986, he suggested that some Black areas of Boston should become separate from the main city.
In 2008, Ben Haith and others stayed in empty apartments in places like the Lenox Street projects in Roxbury. They did this to encourage neighbors to report illegal activities they saw. Their goal was to help make communities safer.
Juneteenth Flag Designer
Ben Haith founded the National Juneteenth Celebration Foundation. He led the very first Juneteenth flag-raising event in Boston in 2000. This event took place at Roxbury Heritage State Park.
Ben Haith designed the Juneteenth flag in 1997. In 2000, after adding the date "June 19, 1865" to the design, he officially copyrighted it. This means he owns the design and how it is used. The flag is now a widely recognized symbol of the Juneteenth holiday.
