American Irony: Religious Freedom and African Slavery in Colonial Rhode Island
A presentation of Colonial Rhode Island's unique role as the center for religious freedom and toleration, while at the same time being home to America's largest slave trading economy. Participants will learn how Rhode Island minority religious groups found a safe haven for free worship while also profiting greatly in the ownership and trade of African slaves. This irony would lead, on the eve of the American Revolution, the Newport Mercury Newspaper in 1768 to state "If Newport had the right to enslaved Negroes, then Great Britain has the right to enslaved the Colonists." The presentation will offer historic images and documents of the time.
A Visual Remembrance: African Slave Markers in Colonial Newport
While many would recognize that Newport, Rhode Island is home to much of America's original, colonial and gilded age historic structures, few would recognize that Newport is also home to one of America's oldest and largest slave cemeteries. This presentation details Newport's economic, social and religious Colonial history through the lives and deaths of African and African American servants. Participants will learn through images of grave markers that depict the lives of 17th and 18th century Africans that once lived, worked and worshiped in Colonial Newport. The presentation will also provide a direct link to African slaves to their West African tribal customs and origins.
Faith, Family, and Freedom: Lives of Early Jews in Colonial Rhode Island
This presentation offers participants the opportunity to better understand the founding principle of 'Religious Freedom' in early Rhode Island, but from the perspective of Jewish merchants and families arriving as early as 1658. While Jews were tolerated as a minority religious group in Rhode Island, there were significant social and political restrictions that would not be changed until well after the American Revolution and through a historic proclamation of religious liberty and visit by President George Washington to Newport's Hebrew Congregation in 1790. Participants will also learn how Colonial Jews would greatly influence Newport's economic, civic and religious well-being.
Africa's Children in Rhode Island
This presentation recounts the arrival of African teens and children to 18th-Century Rhode Island as slaves and how they would grow up to become active contributors to the economic, religious, and civic life of early Newport, Bristol, and Providence. The presentation also includes historic images of African children in Rhode Island.
Keith Stokes is the Executive Director of the Newport County Chamber of Commerce and a native of Newport, Rhode Island. Educated at Cornell University with a Bachelor of Science Degree (Quill and Dagger Honor Society) and the University of Chicago with a Master's Degree, Mr. Stokes has a diverse professional background including business, community planning, historic preservation, and government. He has served his community in many capacities, including as a three-term City Councilman. Mr. Stokes and his wife, Theresa, have four children.
Professionally, Mr. Stokes has worked as a Senior Policy Advisor to Rhode Island Governor Bruce Sundlun, Executive Director of the Omni Development Corporation, and Senior Policy Advisor to the Rhode Island General Treasurer. Mr. Stokes is a frequent national, state, and local lecturer in community and regional planning, historic preservation, and interpretation with an expertise in early African and Jewish-American history.