Hassie Benjamin Haith Jr., the creator of the Juneteenth flag, is a native of Stamford, CT. Haith also served in the Army. After his tour of duty ended, he worked in advertising and marketing in NYC. He later relocated to Boston, MA where he became involved in community work, activism, and advocacy. Haith had a knack for relating to people and earning their trust. He became a dedicated activist. In the early 1970s, he formed an alliance with two local leaders, Min. Don Muhammad and Sadiki Kambon. Together, they worked to fight crime in the most dangerous areas of the city. Their efforts made a noticeable difference for 35 years.

He was also a Case Manager for Homeless Veterans for 6 of those years. Haith was recruited to join with the first national anti-crime program as an advocate. He wrote a proposal outlining his strategies that caught the attention of Georgette Watson and Rev. Bruce Wall, two well-loved MA community leaders. The team, of Watson and Wall launched a local campaign that grew nationwide because of its success. It became the first national crime prevention hotline. As an adult, when hearing the long-forgotten word "Juneteenth", childhood memories flooded back to Haith. He remembered his mother, Virginia Vaughn, and her sister, his Aunt Anna, sharing Juneteenth stories in the kitchen during family visits at his aunt's farm, where he and his siblings listened. Ben knew he had to research this holiday. During his research, he also knew the holiday needed a symbol. Being enterprising like his father and native North Carolinian, Hassie Haith Sr., Ben created a flag and established a Juneteenth organization.

On June 19, 1997 he held the first flag-raising ceremony in John Elliot Square, Boston. In 2000 he copyrighted the flag and in front of the Dillaway-Thomas House on June 19,2000 he raised the official Juneteenth flag. The flag became the national symbol for another expanding Juneteenth organization, the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation (NJOF), led by visionary, Rev. Ronald V. Myers, Sr., MD. Haith and Myers became instant friends. Haith disbanded his organization and joined with "Doc" Myers as an affiliate. Promoting the movement and flag, NJOF became the flagship. Its message spread over time and 27 years later, Juneteenth became a federal holiday. Haith remains a consultant to NJOF to this day.

On June 17, 2021, Juneteenth became a federal holiday, something surreal to Haith. "I could not believe it was happening. I had no idea when I made the flag, that it would really happen... that I was a part of it...And it happened in my lifetime, our lifetimes. That's when I knew it was bigger than me, outside of me. I know it was the spirit of God. My mother was a holy woman and a strong leader. I had the right mother. Because of her, I knew that it was God."

At annual celebrations everywhere, his creation with the red and blue background flies high. In the center of the arched horizon, the nova star bursts brightly, a symbol of a new flag and a new people, both birthed in America. "I kept remembering the PBS show NOVA, the meaning of nova - "new" - stayed with me. I thought of us. We became a new people when we were brought here. We became new Africans. With the right opportunities, we can change the world." Today, Ben Haith resides in Norwich, CT where he lives with his family. He spends his days writing his life story, calling in to talk shows, meeting with US Veterans, serving his community and still spreading the word about the Juneteenth movement.