Halfway to Freedom: The History of Black Washington, DC

Halfway to Freedom is a sweeping social, political, intellectual, and cultural history of African Americans in Washington, DC, examining how race, gender, color, class, and power have shaped the city and its relationship to the federal government, the nation, and the wider world.

For more than two centuries, Black residents have played a central role in defining the history and culture of the nation’s capital. From the years immediately following the Civil War—when several Black men won citywide political offices—to the era of segregation, migration, civil rights activism, and contemporary struggles over gentrification, African Americans have profoundly influenced every aspect of life in Washington.

Drawing on a rich array of archival sources and firsthand accounts, Maurice Jackson traces the experiences of both free and enslaved African Americans from the city’s earliest days through modern movements for justice and equality. He explores the material realities that shaped Black life while examining why Washington has occupied such a powerful place in the Black American imagination despite the persistent challenges its residents have faced.

At the same time, Jackson celebrates the achievements won through collective action, highlighting the contributions of labor organizers, women’s movements, artists, musicians, athletes, legal advocates, and community activists who helped transform the city and expand opportunities for future generations.