PAWTUCKET, R.I. (WJAR) — From big states to little Rhode Island, from the state capitals to small towns — it was a summer of social justice, reminding Americans that Black Lives Matter.
“There were a lot of murders, we couldn’t even catch up with all of the killings that took place this summer. It was overwhelming,” saidBrother Gary Dantzler of Black Lives Matter Rhode Island.
George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and Tanisha Anderson — just a few names who inspired the movement.
Eight months later, Black Lives Matter Rhode Island is seeing progress from the protests. This future hub of empowerment through business and innovation is a start.
“What we want to do is bring tech to Rhode Island for people of color and non-people of color,” said Dantzler.
A space in downtown Pawtucket is just a vision right now, he said. Eventually, it will become the first African American library in the state.
“Right here is where the library is going to be. The walls will be images of great African Americans, leaders, and educators of the world,”Dantzler added.
Black Lives Matter Rhode Island secured a portion of a back-to-work grant to create the hub. The space will promote Black educators, history, and achievement from all over the country.
Dantzler said the first step will be workforce training through the business and innovation center.
“The work force will happen here. This is where the magic will happen,” he said.
The innovation center is one piece of the puzzle in Pawtucket. Dantzler said the goal is to turn the area what they call “the Black block” into a place that is predominantly Black-owned businesses.
In the future, Dantzler told NBC 10 News the hub will also be a space to teach kids computer programing and other skills to set them up for a successful future.
“I think we need schooling, we need trades. We don’t need basketball programs and things of that nature — we want to elevate kids’ minds for the future,” he said.
Dantzler said to NBC 10, “I’m so happy I had the opportunity to bring this to the community. To see the vision of what we were talking about all along, all these years.”
The work will start in a matter of weeks,
Brother Gary said the biggest goal is education, inspiration, and giving Rhode Islanders of all races a place where they can see the real history and dream big.
