Newport-based Rhode Island Slave History Medallions is among the nonprofits that will share nearly $130,000 in grants from the Black Philanthropy Bannister Fund at the Rhode Island Foundation.
“There is no more appropriate time to bolster the work of organizations that are challenging the historic causes of inequity,” said David N. Cicilline, president and CEO in. a statement. “Working closely with our donors, community leaders and nonprofit partners, we are reducing disparities and closing achievement gaps so as to create a better future for all Rhode Islanders.”
The Black Philanthropy Bannister Fund was established in 2007 to address the needs of the Black community. Over the years, nearly $1.4 million in grants and scholarships have been awarded. Grants are offered to support nonprofits that provide youth development and mentoring, promote the history and achievements of Blacks in Rhode Island, preserve the culture of the Black community and strive to uplift low-income Black Rhode Islanders.
The grants come as the Foundation launches its new Five-Year Action Plan and introduces six Community Priorities: Climate Action and Sustainability, Civic and Cultural Life, Education and Student Sucess, Healthy and Strong Communities, and Housing and Economic Mobility, all with diversity, equity, inclusion and access at their core.
Rhode Island Slave History Medallions will use its grant to support its new Roots of Freedom Youth Education Program, which gives Newport County middle school and high school students the opportunity to learn about the inspiring lives and rarely heard narratives of people of color in the state’s early history.
“Shedding light upon their contributions to our state and our nation. Based in part upon our new Newport Black History Walking Tour and its documented narratives, nearly two years in development, the Youth program will highlight our national roots and BIPOC cultural heritage, exploring the values of freedom, diversity, understanding and human rights,” said Charles Roberts, executive director in a statement.
The planning and pilot phase will focus on development of a curriculum with specialized interpretive value and history framework for youth participants, including age-appropriate companion texts and guide materials to enhance the educational impact with both pre- and post-tour activities. Outreach will include Newport County schools, youth groups and the educational community, including the Dr Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center, FabNewport and the Newport Community School, and after-school programs such as NewportFilm’s Documentary Unbound. Program pilot tours will be offered and scheduled in fall 2025 and spring 2026.
“Our new history education program will enhance existing curriculum, offering culturally sensitive, experiential and fun project-based learning with walking tours, hands-on cultural arts workshops and performances, history readings, and outdoor group activities, such as an interactive scavenger hunt. The narrative foundation of the program is the well-researched and guided Black History Walking Tour: Lost Stories of Resistance and Freedom and its numerous medallion sites in Newport’s Historic District,” said Roberts.
The Boys and Girls Clubs of Providence, the Rhode Island Coalition of Black Women, Rhode Island Black Storytellers and Stages of Freedom are among other nonprofits that received grants.
The Black Philanthropy Bannister Fund also offers scholarships for Black students who are pursuing or advancing a career in health care in college or a technical school. Last year, the fund awarded $53,000 in aid. The deadline to apply for 2025 scholarship assistance is April 14.
Members of the public can support the fund’s work by donating on-line on the Foundation’s website or by contacting Christine Pellegri at cpellegri@rifoundation.org.
The Rhode Island Foundation is the largest and most comprehensive funder of nonprofit organizations in Rhode Island. Through civic leadership, fundraising and grant-making activities, together with neighbors and partners, the Foundation is helping to create progress that lasts. For more information about applying for a Black Philanthropy Bannister Fund grant or scholarship, visit the Black Philanthropy Bannister Fund.
