African American's have a rich history in New Mexico; while they remain a small proportion of the population, representing only 2.1%, their impact on the state has been great. Some of the first African Americans to spend a significant amount of time in New Mexico were the Buffalo Soldiers.The Buffalo Soldiers were Black soldiers in the Civil War who served on the Western frontier, consisting of six regiments created following the Army Organization Act's passing. Located in Fort Selden, Near Las Cruces, from 1867 to 1891, following the Fort's closure, some of the men set up farms, and others moved to Las Cruces.Stories of life in New Mexico traveled, and between 1850 and 1870, many African Americans migrated to New Mexico. However, many made homes following the "Black Codes," many left for friendly places. "Black Codes" were restrictive laws that affected African Americans' freedoms, including property ownership and marriage.
Many Black people accompanied various Spanish explorations to Mexico and settled there. As such, there are many African American's scattered around New Mexico whose routes trace back through Portugal. The expansion of the railway to El Paso created new service jobs for Black people and led many African Americans to move to New Mexico. Many concentrated in Las Cruces, with lots of work available as savants to white families.The Homestead Act in 1920 resulted in a number of African American people relocating to Las Cruces and the surrounding area. The Homestead Act afforded any adult citizen who had never fought in the war could claim 160 acres of land, on the condition they tended to the plot.Segregation in Las Cruces began in 1924, ending 30 years later. In 1954, in Albuquerque, it lasted from 1870 to 1950. Despite this, in 1937, Clara Belle Drisdale Williams became the first African American to graduate from New Mexico State University., going on to be a teacher. In 1964, the Accommodations Act came into force, ending segregation in New Mexico.
The first black community founded in New Mexico was Blackdom in 1901. 13 African Americans, deciding upon Frank Boyer as their president, created the town under the Homestead Act. The town prospered until a drought in 1816 forced many to move away. The town became impossible to live in and is now thought of as a ghost town. Originating from Georgia, Frank was the son of a freedman who convinced other African Americans to report the racial abuse they faced in the Jim Crow era south. Upon learning the Ku Klux Klan was targeting him, Frank fled to New Mexico, his family following later.While Blackdom eventually failed, many other African Americans found success and made their home in New Mexico, adding to its diverse cultural heritage and identity. Much work is being done currently to try and elevate and share the history of the African American community, to ensure those who forged a path before are not forgotten.
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