Along with guest speaker Corinthia Jacobs '11 and in celebration of Black History at Dickinson College, the Africana Studies Department will be honoring entrepreneur and activist Noah Pinkney on Friday, February 22, 2013 from 4:00-6:30pm at West Gate (Plaque ceremony) followed by a reception in the Ground Floor Lounge of Althouse. (Rain Location for Ceremony: Althouse 106).

*Noah Pinkney (1846-1923)

Noah Pinkney was born a slave in Frederick County, Maryland on December 31, 1846. He bravely fought in the Civil War after enlisting in the Union Army in Harrisburg, PA 1863. After the war, he moved to Carlisle, where he became known as “Pink” or “Uncle Noah.” In 1882, he helped to found a Freemasonry Lodge, which worked to organize Black citizens of Carlisle. As an entrepreneur, he sold food to Dickinson students. He sold these treats outside the gate near East College, as he was forbidden access to the campus in 1894. On the coldest of nights, he sorted to sell his treats from his home at 137 N. West St. Noah Pinkney exemplifies the resiliency and perseverance of ex-slaves who overcame adversity and continued to give back to their community.*