Stages of Freedom

Black History Walking Tour

(7.22) Tickets are still available for ‘African Americans on College Hill’ a walking tour with historian Ray Rickman. The tour leaves from the Stages of Freedom Museum this Saturday morning. Explore Providence’s oldest neighborhood and the African Americans who lived there with Rhode Island’s foremost expert, Ray Rickman. Many left an indelible mark on not …

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Stages Of Freedom — Museum And Bookshop

Just a reminder that Stages of Freedom, the state’s only African American Museum and Bookshop, is right downtown on lower Westminster Street by the river. And, as the sign in the window says, “All for a good cause.” That would be the Swim Empowerment program which provides free swim lessons for low-income BIPOC youth. But …

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Everyone Needs To Know How To Swim

“Though African Americans make up just thirteen percent of the US population, the fatal drowning rate of African American children aged five to fourteen is three times that of white children.” This disturbing statistic comes from a 2013 report* written by historian and former state legislator Ray Rickman when he was first inspired to do …

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Presidents’ Day

Our complicated history. This vintage kerchief box was spotted recently at Stages of Freedom, the downtown museum/gift shop, established to promote black culture for everyone, preserve local history, and support initiatives like the Swimming Empowerment program. I’m guessing that this item was originally sold at the Mt. Vernon gift shop? Mt. Vernon is of course …

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America’s First Black Diva — Sissieretta Jones At 150

A series of free events are planned for this weekend to celebrate world-renowned singer, Sissieretta Jones, culminating in the placing of a headstone at her previously unmarked grave. The exhibit “Sissieretta Jones: the Greatest Singer of Her Race” opens tonight at Stages of Freedom, the museum/gift shop co-founded by historian, and former Democratic state representative, …

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‘Raising Spirits’ Walking Tour

(10.27) Take a tour of African American hauntings on College Hill with historian Ray Rickman this Friday at 7pm. Hear master storyteller Robb Dimmick tell about Tuggy Banock, a 19th century Black witch in South County and see Phillis Chace rise from the grave. Tour originates at the RISD Museum on Canal Street and winds …

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‘Stages Of Freedom’ Downtown

The Stages of Freedom Shop & Museum is the bricks-and-mortar location for the nonprofit of the same name run by Ray Rickman, a local notable with a prodigious résumé: state rep, deputy secretary of state, corporate consultant, president of the Rhode Island Black Heritage Society, book dealer, local historian, and he is often called on …

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