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Community building in the African American populations of the Colonial period and early American republic. Community building was essential for Black Americans living in the early republic, most were enslaved and many lived in the homes of their enslavers. This was especially true in the North. Creating a web of folks beyond that space of bondage was essential to Black people’s emotional, mental and physical health. Creating community happened very intentionally as well as organically and I’d like to give an example. Enslaved people in New England, in both urban and rural spaces were often sent on errands. This gave them an opportunity to interact with folks outside their enslavers control and household. They could stop and talk to another servant or enslaved person, ask about their day, get inquired about their own day. This allowed them to share news and build community, and I think most importantly, interact in essentially human ways; meaning that your labor wasn’t being extracted for the use of someone but instead you were involved in conversations about someone’s health and well-being, what they’re looking forward to, what they’ve overcome. These interactions were building community, but they were also essential to people’s sense of self.