The Rhode Island Black Heritage Society to Host Created Equal: America's Civil Rights Struggle

October 9th, 2013 [Providence] On Wednesday, October 23rd, the Rhode Island Black Heritage Society, in collaboration with the Rhode Island Historical Society, will host a screening of Freedom Riders.  The film, being screened at 5:30 p.m. at the Aldrich House as a part of the Created Equal series (110 Benevolent Street, Providence), details the journey of the ‘Freedom Riders,’ an intrepid group of diverse supporters of civil rights who sought to take the movement out of the courtrooms and into the Jim Crow South. 

To continue to mark the 50th anniversary of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s March on Washington, The Rhode Island Black Heritage Society will offer a series of film-screenings and discussion-forums centered around four documentaries which illustrate the history of Civil Rights in America.

Created Equal: America's Civil Rights Struggle is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Humanities [NEH] that uses the power of documentary films to encourage community discussion of America's Civil Rights history.  NEH has partnered with the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History to develop programmatic and support materials for the film viewing sites.

The Rhode Island Black Heritage Society is one of the organizations across the country awarded a grant and four films: The Abolitionists, Slavery by Another Name, Freedom Riders and The Loving Story.  All include dramatic scenes of the 150 year effort to achieve equal rights for all.  Freedom Riders received an Emmy in 2012 and The Loving Story and The Abolitionists have been nominated for Emmys in 2013.

The Rhode Island Black Heritage Society will show documentaries at Rhode Island College and Roger Williams University as well as co-hosting two screenings with the Rhode Island Historical Society.  At each viewing, all in attendance will be encouraged to participate in an engaging, open-forum discussion pertaining to race relations in this country.  Joyce Stevos, The Society's President said, “We are proud to be a part of a national initiative which focuses on the historical context of the Civil Rights Movement and its monumental impact on society today.”  

Each of the films was produced with NEH support and each tells remarkable stories of individuals who fiercely challenged the many forms of institutional racism, from slavery to segregation.  Created Equal programs bring communities together to revisit our shared history and help bridge the deep racial and cultural divides in American civic life.  Visit http://createdequal.neh.gov/ for more information.

The Rhode Island Black Heritage Society:

The Rhode Island Black Heritage Society was founded in 1975 with a mission to preserve three centuries of African American history in the state.  The Society has amassed an invaluable collection of artifacts that documents African Americans' achievements in military service, business, politics, the arts and education.  The Rhode Island Black Heritage Society encourages and promotes the study of African American history by hosting tours, lectures, and exhibits for the general public. 

The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History:

Founded in 1994, the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History is a nonprofit organization that promotes excellence in the teaching and learning of American history.  Programs include publications, teachers seminars, a national Affiliate School Program, traveling exhibitions, and online materials for teachers, students and the general public.  Visit www.gilderlehrman.org.

The National Endowment for the Humanities:

Created in 1965 as an independent federal agency, the National Endowment for the Humanities supports learning in history, literature, philosophy and other areas of the humanities.  NEH grants enrich classroom learning, create and preserve knowledge, and bring ideas to life through public television, radio, museum exhibitions, and programs in libraries and other community places.  Visit www.neh.gov.     

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