As a member of the Rhode Island Black Heritage Society (RIBHS) you play a vital role in the preservation, interpretation, and education of the history of African heritage people in Rhode Island, and the critical role they played in our State and the nation.
RIBHS has extensive collections, including documents, photographs, textiles, and artwork that span the history of African heritage people in Rhode Island from the Colonial era to the 20th century. The organization is engaged in three major efforts driven by the use and interpretation of these collections:
PRESERVATION
Preservation & Interpretation of God’s Little Acre in Newport, Rhode Island, the oldest existing African heritage burying ground in America. This effort is being followed with an African Heritage Rhode Trip for students and teachers to experience historic sites across the state.
TRUTH
RIBHS led the research & published the “A Matter of Truth” report. The examination and documentation of the role of the City of Providence and State of Rhode Island in supporting a Separate and Unequal” existence for African heritage, Indigenous, and people of color between 1620 and 2020.
EDUCATION
Led by the RIBHS, Rhode Island has passed into law one of the most comprehensive African heritage and history curricula in the nation for all K-12 public schools in the state. This new law would require education courses in African heritage and history in elementary and secondary schools in Rhode Island commencing in the 2022-2023 school year.
Please consider joining us in this important work!