A "free black community" refers to a group of African Americans who were not enslaved and lived independently, often forming their own neighborhoods or societies. These communities emerged in various parts of the United States, particularly in the North, where some African Americans gained freedom through emancipation, purchase, or escape from slavery. These communities often provided support networks, cultural institutions, and social services. Notable examples include the African Methodist Episcopal Church and the Freedmen's Bureau, which helped newly freed individuals transition to freedom. Free black communities played a crucial role in advocating for civil rights and education.