Oliver Hazard Perry Rhode Island in partnership with the Rhode Island Black Heritage Society host a Black Heritage Month Speaker Series. This particular one will be done by Keith Stokes and is titled “African Mariners”.
“The peculiar institution of slavery in Newport, Rhode Island, had its start and evolution with the sea. And one of the best paths for African freedom and prosperity led back to the sea. African Heritage Mariners in Colonial Era Newport provides an interpretation of how seafaring was one of the most significant occupations among enslaved and free African heritage men during the 18th and 19th centuries. The presentation will include an in-depth review of Newport’s role within the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, the evolution of African mariners, and the use of the sea as an early path to freedom.”
Speaker Bio: Mr. Stokes is Vice President with the 1696 Heritage Group. Mr. Stokes has a long and distinguished career in business and community development, with degrees from Cornell University and University of Chicago. His past professional positions have included Executive Director of the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation and Executive Director of the Newport County Chamber of Commerce.
He has also been an Advisor for Rhode Island with the National Trust for Historic Preservation along with serving on numerous regional and national historic preservation boards including Chairman of the Touro Synagogue Foundation, Vice President & Trustee of the Preservation Society for Newport County, and Newport Historical Society. Mr. Stokes is a frequent national, state and local lecturer in community & regional planning, historic preservation and interpretation with an expertise in early African and Jewish American history. Mr. Stokes frequently appears on national historical programs including C-SPAN, Fox News Legends & Lies, and Ted Talk. Mr. Stokes recently travelled to Ghana, Africa to deliver a lecture as part of the 400th Anniversary of the Transatlantic Slave Trade.
He has been the recipient of numerous local, state and national awards including the United State Small Business Administration – Rhode Island Small Business Advocate of the Year Award, Raytheon Company Freedom Award, Sons of the American Revolution Good Citizenship Medal, American Sail Training Association Leadership Award, Rhode Island Black Heritage Society’s Fredrick Williamson Award Historic Preservation Award, Rhode Island Martin Luther King Keeper of the Dream Award and along with his wife, is the recipient of the Rhode Island Council for the Humanities Prize for Creative Achievement in the Humanities.
Ticket Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/african-mariners-tickets-530959623527
Location: Bowen’s Wharf
Time: 6-7 pm