Gaspar Yanga, known simply as Yanga, was a seventeenth century revolutionary who established a self-governing colony of freed Africans – called “maroons” - near Veracruz, Mexico in 1609. Also known as El Primer Liberator de América (the First Liberator of America), he was captured and sold into slavery in Mexico, where he escaped and negotiated a set of 11 demands from the king of Spain. For Black History month, Meridian Young Professionals is proud to partner with the Latino Arts Project to bring a unique experience to you at the Owen Arts Center where we’ll visit the exhibit Yanga Rediscovered: The First Liberator of the Americas. This unique interactive experience uses animated videos, folk art, sculptures, murals, stained glass, and newly discovered historic documents to tell Yanga’s story along with an exploration of the African slave trade and the AfroMexican experience.