Special to What’s Up Newp | The following was written by Keith Stokes. This story was originally published on Feb. 9, 2020. Persons of African heritage have lived, worked and worshiped in Newport since the mid-17th Century. Established as a major slave port, Newport would have one of the largest populations of enslaved and free […]
Black History Month
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Black History Month: The origins of Newport’s African Heritage Tennis Club
By Keith Stokes, special to What’s Up Newp. Originally published on Feb. 18, 2021 “If there was a watering-place in America where respectable, refined, and well-bearing-colored ladies and gentlemen have as little reason to feel their color as in Newport.” – Colored American Newspaper, 1886 Newport is internationally recognized for its Colonial Era structures, Gilded […]
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Black History Month: African Heritage Entrepreneurs in Gilded Age Newport – Andrew J. Tabb
Special to What’s Up Newp | The following was written by Keith Stokes, Vice President of the 1696 Heritage Group. This story was originally published on Feb. 1, 2021. While Newport is internationally recognized for its Colonial Era buildings, Gilded Age mansions, historic landscapes, and rich maritime history, few would know that Newport through the centuries […]
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Black History Month – Dr. Harriet Alleyne Rice: A native Newport Black History heroine that is largely unknown in the city of her birth
The following was written for What’s Up Newp by Keith Stokes, Vice President of the 1696 Heritage Group. This story was originally published on Feb. 11 ,2021. A native Newport Black History heroine that is largely unknown in the city of her birth. Harriet Alleyne Rice was born to George and Lucinda Rice in 1866 in […]
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Black History Month Newport: A time to play
Introduction: February is Black History Month, an annual time to celebrate the achievements, and a time for recognized the central role, of African Americans in U.S. history. During the month of February, What’s Up Newp is using our platform to highlight and recognize the achievements by local African Americans. Keith Stokes, Vice President of the 1696 Heritage […]
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Black History Month Newport: A look at 19th century black-owned businesses, business owners
February is Black History Month, also known as African American History Month, an annual time to celebrate the achievements, and a time for recognizing the central role, of African Americans in U.S. history. During the month of February, What’s Up Newp is using our platform to highlight and recognize the achievements by local African Americans. Keith […]
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Black History Month – People, Places & Events: Remembering a group of 19th and 20th Century African Heritage Leaders in Newport
February is Black History Month, also known as African American History Month, an annual time to celebrate the achievements, and a time for recognizing the central role, of African Americans in U.S. history. During the month of February, What’s Up Newp plans to use our platform to highlight and recognize the achievements by local African Americans. […]
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Noted Historian Robert Geake will give a virtual talk on the Black Regiment of Rhode Island on Feb. 22
Robert A. Geake Rhode Island historian and author Robert A. Geake is set to deliver a virtual lecture celebrating Black History Month on Wednesday, February 22. The lecture, hosted by the Redwood Library & Athenaeum, the Battle of Rhode Island Association, and NAACP Newport, will focus on the Black Regiment of Rhode Island, which fought […]
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50 essential civil rights speeches
Activists, athletes, actors, and preachers with sometimes-fiery presentation skills are just a few of the people who’ve communicated the message of civil rights to the masses. When many people think of civil rights, the path to equality for the Black community comes to mind, but oration is equally as instrumental to civil rights movements too, […]
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Black History Month: RI’s Greatest African American Musicians
From Opera to Doo-Wop to Jazz, African-American artists have contributed enormously to Rhode Island’s musical heritage. To celebrate Black History Month, we’re introducing you to a few Rhode Islanders who paved the way. For more, check out the videos in the story below and visit the Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame web site here. […]
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Black History Month: Letters from the State Archives
During Black History Month, we are sharing some of the content on the Secretary of State’s website that chronicles some of the history of the “African American Experience in Rhode Island.” We’re printing these with the permission and encouragement of Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea. Besides the section on African Americans, the Secretarhy of State […]
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Redwood Library & Athenæum to host Black History Month Virtual Lecture Series
Redwood Library & Athenæum today announces its line-up of virtual lectures celebrating Black History Month. All lectures are presented free of charge and all are welcome to attend. Wednesday, February 9th at 6 pm Disappearing Ink: Rhode Island Black Literature & The Black Press in Rhode Island A Conversation with Robb Dimmick and […]
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Black Joy: Explore the History, Tradition, and Legacy of Joy in Rhode Island’s Black Community
Trayvon Martin, Eric Garner, Michael Brown, Tamir Rice, Breonna Taylor, Sandra Bland, George Floyd. For the past 10 years, media has inundated the public with the murders, inequalities, and protests of Black people in America. While communities across our nation have taken this time to re-educate and re-think their biases, Black people have been traumatized and […]
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Black History Month: This stone was cut by Pompe Stevens
Above a busy thoroughfare in Newport’s North End, there’s a quiet, shady hill. Few of the dog walkers and fewer of the hundreds of motorists that pass each day pay much attention to it. This spot is not neglected or forgotten; in fact it’s well marked and dutifully tended. But even some lifelong Newporters might […]