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Stages of Freedom Museum of African American History to unveil marker to Black philanthropist
Stages of Freedom will unveil a historic marker recognizing Christiana Carteaux Bannister on Saturday, October 28, 2024, 10am at 15 Westminster Street, Providence.
The event is free and open to the public and followed by refreshments. Save the Date!
Mrs. Bannister, of African and Narragansett descent, and her husband Edward, were Providence’s Black Victorian power couple, using their resources, connections and genius to build bridges across the racial divide to create lasting institutions in the City, such as the Providence Art Club and Bannister House.
Mrs. Bannister, highly successful in business as a “hair doctress,” used her funds to help raise Black troops for the Civil War, abolish slavery, and finance her husband’s award-winning career as a landscape artist. The plaque, made possible in part by a grant from the Black Philanthropy Bannister Fund, is located in a small park soon to be named for Mrs. Bannister, directly across from Stages of Freedom’s African American Museum, and within view of the magnificent statue of Edward Bannister at Market Square. The event is sponsored by the RI State Council on the Arts (RISCA).
The event is Free & Open to the Public. Refreshments to follow. RSVP here: https://form.jotform.com/223056864788167
About Stages of Freedom:
Our Mission:
1) To build community and advance racial equity by using the arts and humanities to create and present programming that illuminates and celebrates Black Rhode Island life and culture to a large and diverse audience.
2) To provide youth of color free swimming lessons in order to reduce the high number of drownings in the BIPOC community, dismantle systemic barriers, and ensure their health and well-being.
3) To elevate and empower Black youth by providing workshops and access to cultural opportunities, such as museums, theatre and concerts.
The Stages of Freedom Museum
Background:
Founded in 2016, Stages of Freedom has at its core addressing racial inequities in Rhode Island and ensuring that Black Lives Matter. We do this through:
1) Swim Empowerment, a statewide program that provides free swimming lessons African American youth, who drown at five times the rate as white youth, at nine partnering YMCAs.
2) Cultural and arts programming and workshops, such as Bow Ties for Boys, Girls Tea Party, and Jazz is a Rainbow, to empower Black youth.
3) Programs that promote and celebrate African American history and culture and build bridges of understanding across the racial divide.
4) Museum of African American history and non-profit bookstore, proceeds from which help fund Swim Empowerment.
5) Environmental Justice through its new tree planting initiative for South Providence.
6) Health, wellness and civil rights presented through its daily e-blast, “Connected to You”
Photo, images, video: Provided by Stages of Freedom