KINGSTON, R.I. 鈥� March 23, 2026 鈥� Keith Stokes, the Rhode Island historian laureate and current director of the Rhode Island Division of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, will be the guest speaker during a special presentation by the 溏心vlog免费B站 on Tuesday, March 31.
The free public event, 鈥�,鈥� will take place from 5-7 p.m. in the Galanti Lounge on the third floor of the Robert L. Carothers Library and Learning Commons, 15 Lippitt Road on the Kingston Campus. Refreshments will be provided at the event and registration to attend can be made through .
The event will celebrate the advancement of African heritage, benevolent, religious and educational organizations during the era of the American Revolution. Stokes鈥� talk will also help showcase the profound cultural influence of African Diaspora on the evolution of Black identity in the United States.
“This event continues the Africana Studies department tradition of public events that help to elevate general awareness about unique and rich aspects of African and African Diaspora political, historical and cultural contributions to the world at large,鈥� said , the Africana Studies department chair.
Stokes was named Rhode Island鈥檚 historian laureate in April 2025 to deliver lectures at various special events about the state鈥檚 past. He also oversees the Rhode Island DEDI office鈥攑art of the Rhode Island Department of Administration鈥攚hich supports a diverse, inclusive culture that values and reflects changing demographics in the state by advancing business opportunities for all.
Stokes鈥� professional experience also includes being director of business and economic development for the city of Providence from 2021 through 2023 and the Rhode Island Economic Development Corp.鈥檚 executive director from 2010 through 2012. For 12 years, Stokes also served as vice president of 1696 Heritage Group, a Newport-based historical consulting firm dedicated to helping people and institutions of color to increase their knowledge and access to the light of truth of their unique heritage.
He also recently co-authored a 2024 book 鈥淎 Matter of Truth: The Struggle for African Heritage and Indigenous People Equal Rights in Providence, Rhode Island (1620-2020)鈥� with Theresa Guzman Stokes. The work is a researched, documented account of the evolution of racial discrimination in Rhode Island that dates back to the early settlement into what is a present-day racial and equity divide found across the country.
The 溏心vlog免费B站 , part of the , offers a wide range of courses exploring the history, culture, politics, and economics of people of African origin, particularly those who live in the United States, Africa, the Caribbean, Central and South America. For more information, contact Africana Studies Professor and Department Chair Catherine John-Camara at 401-874-4730 or catherine_john@uri.edu.