The African American Museum of Rhode Island (AAMRI), located in a storefront on Broad Street in Upper South Providence, serves as a vibrant community space dedicated to preserving and sharing the stories of African American Rhode Islanders. Led by executive director Dr. Christopher West, the museum highlights notable figures such as Meredith Costa, Rhode Island’s first African American woman principal, and Randall Ashe, a musical prodigy, as well as lesser-known heroes like soldiers from the First Colored Regiment who fought in the Revolutionary War. The museum emphasizes that history belongs in everyday places, accessible to all.

AAMRI originated from a desire to connect local youth with the rich Black history of their neighborhoods, sparked by founding members uncovering stories like that of Willie Dixie Matthews, a professional baseball player and civil rights advocate. The museum also confronts historical erasure, exemplified by figures like Arthur J. “Daddy” Black, whose achievements have been overshadowed by limited archival representation.

To further its mission, AAMRI plans to introduce a new high school curriculum by fall 2024, integrating Rhode Island’s Black history into classrooms statewide. Its first exhibition, “Welcome to the Neighborhood: Mapping Black Providence 1940s-1970s,” showcases the community life and contributions of Black residents across several Providence neighborhoods. More information is available at AAM-RI.org.