Ben Haith facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ben Haith
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Ben 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 in 1942), also known as Boston Ben, is an American activist. He is also a social worker and the designer of the famous Juneteenth flag. Haith has worked with groups that aim to prevent crime since the 1980s. He also started the National Juneteenth Celebration Foundation.
Ben Haith's Life and Work
Working for Change
Ben Haith is a grassroots community activist. This means he works directly with people in neighborhoods. He often points out and speaks about unfair differences in society.
He has been very active in efforts to make communities safer. He has also shared his thoughts on how law enforcement works. Throughout his life, he has spoken up about improving police actions.
In 1983, when he was 40 years old, he ran for public office. 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. He also owned an advertising business with his wife. He ran his campaign from a tent near Dudley Station Historic District. In 1986, he suggested that some parts of Boston should become separate.
Community Safety Efforts
In 2008, Ben Haith and others stayed in empty apartments. These were in the Lenox Street projects and Orchard Park in Roxbury. Their goal was to encourage neighbors to report problems they saw. This helped make their neighborhoods safer.
The Juneteenth Flag
Ben Haith founded the National Juneteenth Celebration Foundation. He led the very first Juneteenth flag-raising event in Boston. This happened at Roxbury Heritage State Park in the year 2000.
Haith designed the Juneteenth flag in 1997. In 2000, he added the words "June 19, 1865" to the design. After this, he officially copyrighted the flag. This means he owns the design.
