Presented by Westerly Library & Wilcox Park
Wednesday, February 10, 2021 | 5:30pm – 6:30pm
In recognition of Black History Month, Westerly Library & Wilcox Park are hosting a discussion on the history and current efforts of the Rhode Island Slave History Medallions organization.
Registration is required. Please register by Tuesday, February 9th. You will receive a Zoom invitation the morning of the program.
“The Mission of the Rhode Island Slave History Medallions organization is to increase public awareness of the state’s slave history by engaging in research, education, and informational activities and by marking pertinent locations with medallions linked to a dynamic, informative website, telling the stories of enslaved African and Indigenous people, their contributions, and their impact on our lives today.”
RISHM Medallions are installed at these locations: Patriot’s Park, Portsmouth Smith’s Castle, N.Kingstown Bowen’s Wharf, Newport East Ferry Wharf, Jamestown 2021 Medallions to be installed at: Linden Place, Bristol DeWolf Tavern, Bristol Trinity Church, Newport
About the presenter:
Charles Roberts attended the School of Visual Arts and graduated with a BFA in 1991. He taught art at the Chad Science Academy in Newark, NJ, before returning to Newport, RI. He attended night school at the Rhode Island School of Design and became a graphic artist.
Currently, he is the Executive Director of Rhode Island Slave History Medallions, a nonprofit placed-based education program. The program is committed to telling the stories of enslaved African and Indigenous Native American people of color. RISHM places medallions at historic locations in Rhode Island once used to enhance its economic development through the free labor provided by slaves.
