Rhode Island Black Heritage Society - RIBHS

04/24/2026

Hi, my name is Tisa Ford, and I am 24 years old. I love working with children. I have been doing this work for about 10 years. I also love poetry and writing poetry. What inspires me to write poetry is the art of knowing that words can be written in different ways that explain a chapter of your life or anything you want them to be. Poetry is the art of creating what you want to be yours and for the art to have meaning.

© Tisa Ford, Little Things Book II With Hope and Love

04/23/2026

Archive Thursday
This pew comes from Bethel AME Church’s previous location at 193 Meeting Street and was donated by Abraham and Virginia Rhodes. The Bethel AME Church in Providence was founded in 1795 in the African Freeman’s Society, but they had no permanent home until the church at 193 Meeting Street was constructed in 1866. They worshipped there for nearly 100 years until selling the church to Brown University in 1961. Despite statements that the university would not be any “severe alterations” to the church, Brown had the church demolished in 1966. Bethel AME used the funds from the sale to purchase its current building at 30 Rochambeau Avenue in 1962, where it continues as one of the oldest congregations in New England and a symbol of strength and resilience.

©2025 Rhode Island Black Heritage Society. All rights reserved.

04/22/2026

Stefany Bennett is a poet who writes in her free time. Lived in Rhode Island but family in Boston, Stefany Bennett spends most of her time serving at church, reading books, baking, and with her family, whom she finds dearest to her. While in school for her master’s degree in English education, Stefany hopes to incorporate poetry into her own classroom to promote creativity.

© Stefany Bennett, Courtesy of Stefany Bennett

04/21/2026

FREE EXHIBIT • NOW ON VIEW
Have you visited the Rhode Island Black Heritage Society yet?
Roots & Rhythms is a free exhibit highlighting local contemporary artists alongside powerful historical works. Creating a space where Black creativity and history come together.
Come through, explore, and see what’s happening right here in Rhode Island.

04/17/2026

Featuring artists of African heritage whose voices bring the Black experience to life.

Storytelling is foundational to cultural preservation and transformation. This section features writers, poets, and oral historians whose words capture personal journeys, collective struggles, and visions for the future. Through fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and recorded narratives, these works affirm the power of language to document history, inspire change, and connect generations. Stay tuned as we highlight the talented artists featured in this section.

Don’t forget to visit the Rhode Island Black Heritage Society and support our current exhibit, featuring artists of African heritage whose work reflects the richness of the Black experience.
© All images are courtesy of RIBHS

04/13/2026

D.C.: They met with Senators Jack Reed & Sheldon Whitehouse — discussing student debt, policy equity, and what it means to build futures together.

And yes: They visited the National Museum of African American History & Culture. Where history isn’t told — it’s lived.

04/06/2026

BirthRiteRI Students Take the Helm of Democracy
Students from — Rhode Island's youth "adulting" program — traveled to D.C. & Richmond VA this year, not for sightseeing... but to understand power.

From Capitol Hill to the Civil War legacy in Virginia? They went straight into history’s heart and came out ready to lead.

©2025 Rhode Island Black Heritage Society. All rights reserved.

03/31/2026

Support the Rhode Island Black Heritage Society by joining the statewide day of giving at 401gives.org this March 31st and April 1st. Your generosity will advance our important efforts to preserve and share Rhode Island’s Black history and improve educational outcomes for youth in our state. Donate here the giving window is open! https://www.401gives.org/organizations/ri-black-heritage-society.

03/31/2026

Since our beginnings as the first Black History Museum in 1970, we incorporated as the Rhode Island Black Heritage Society in 1975 and have maintained our original mission to preserve, protect, and share this important history through exhibits, lectures, and publications, promoting scholarship, and engaging youth.
By providing a deep dive into Rhode Island's history and telling the important stories and accomplishments of people of African heritage, we seek to inspire our youth and help build a more equitable future.
As we celebrate over 50 years of preserving and sharing Black history, we hope you will consider supporting our mission.

You can find us at https://www.401gives.org/organi.../ri-black-heritage-society
Keep checking our social media pages for new 401Gives posts.

03/31/2026

Good morning friends and followers!
401 Gives starts right now. If you’re awake, please consider giving to RIBHS. You can find us at https://www.401gives.org/organizations/ri-black-heritage-society
Keep checking our social media pages for new 401Gives posts.

03/31/2026

Good morning friends and followers!
401 Gives starts right now. If you’re awake, please
consider giving to RIBHS ASAP so that we can qualify for matching funds. You can find us at https://www.401gives.org/organizations/ri-black-heritage-society
Keep checking our social media pages for new 401Gives posts.

I’m ready to support Rhode Island Black Heritage Society on March 31, 2026 during 401 Gives 2026. Learn more about Rhode Island Black Heritage Society and all the other organizations participating in 401 Gives 2026.