Oliver Burton, Jr.
Albert Klyberg
Clifton Moore
William Robinson
Joyce Stevos
George Turville
Michael Van Leesten
Frederick Williamson
Board of Directors
Robert Sanders – Chair
Tomas Avila
Mary Ann Crook
Allen Harris
Wilmar Jennings
Julius Kolawole
Alfred Martin
Don Mays
Allen Waters
Kasim Yarn
Armeather Gibbs
Patrice Jean-Philippe
Keith Stokes
Theresa Guzmán Stokes – Managing Director
“The Rhode Island Black Heritage Society is constituted for the purpose of: Procuring, collecting, and preserving books, pamphlets, letters, manuscripts, prints, photographs, paintings, and any other historical material relating to the history of the Blacks of Rhode Island; encouraging and promoting the study of such history by lectures and otherwise; and publishing and diffusing information as to such history.”
Our founding mission statement has been expanded: it is the preservation of African Diaspora descendant’s historical artifacts – books, art, papers and images, as well as facilitating the interpretation of history to enlighten others about our heritage.
We have continued our commitment to focus on a more inclusive program of exhibits, research and events that will share history and open insights into the future that creative survival has made possible for African descendants – from former slaves to immigrants and to native born descendants.
Beyond educating the public, the society is responsible for advancing the culture and documenting the contributions of the African Heritage Community in Rhode Island.
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