We are proud to accept the Brown University Swearer Center for Public Service Award. For our advocacy in Black history, culture, and engagement, the African American Museum of Rhode Island has been recognized by @swearercenter Community Advisory Board, a community of scholars, students, practitioners and community members who works together to build on community strengths and address community challenges.
We are grateful to be among this year’s awardees and recommit to our work of youth workforce development and museum education.
We received a surprise visit from leadership of the UK’s International Slavery Museum in Liverpool! @internationalslaverymuseum
The International Slavery Museum’s Founding Director, Curator, Community Engagement Coordinator and Senior Researcher met with our curator @melaine.mp3 for questions and a discussion on Black U.S. history and culture informed by the “Mapping Black Providence” exhibition!
#blackmuseums #slaverymuseum
Recently appointed as the inaugural curator of the African American Museum of Rhode Island, Melaine Ferdinand-King, PhD (@melaine.mp3 ) is a celebrated voice in the world of cultural theory, media and contemporary art of the Americas and African diaspora. Critical Minded is honored to include her perspective in our latest portrait series, Not for Sale.
Dr. Ferdinand-King’s teaching, curation, and research are rooted in “creating the lovely unexpected”, a curiosity about the power of cultural production in forging alternative models for being and seeing in the world, especially for people from marginalized communities. She was named 2023 Emerging Curator by the Providence Biennial for Contemporary Art, culminating in the exhibition “Poiesis” at WaterFire Arts Center, the first exhibition to highlight Providence metropolitan area street culture, urban design, and experimentalism.
Congratulations on your new appointment, Melaine! We’re excited to see the loveliness you cultivate at @aamuseumri .
🎥 by @rogxbee
#criticalminded #museum #rhodeisland #africanastudies #blackhistory365
Several hundred people gathered Saturday to celebrate the grand opening of the new African American Museum of Rhode Island (@aamuseumri ) in South Providence.
Local community leaders spoke about the importance of telling the stories of Black history - even as the federal government is removing these references from museums and historical markers.
The museum, located at 500 Broad Street in South Providence, will feature exhibits showcasing the history, stories, and culture of the African Diaspora.
Its co-founders are hoping the museum will be informative and educational, while fostering a sense of pride for African-Americans in Rhode Island
Learn more via the link in our bio.
#RhodeIsland #Providence #BlackHistory #communitygathering #AfricanAmericanHistory #museumopening #local #event #history
Thank you, thank you , thank you....
We are proud to share that the African American Museum of Rhode Island officially opened its doors, marking a historic moment for our community.
Our Grand Opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony brought together supporters, community leaders, and visitors from across Rhode Island to celebrate the launch of our inaugural exhibit, “Welcome to the Neighborhood.” The reception was incredible, and we were honored to welcome over 400 visitors to the museum throughout the day.
The inaugural exhibition was thoughtfully curated by Dr. Melaine Ferdinand-King, whose vision helped bring to life powerful stories that highlight the history, presence, and contributions of Black communities in Providence and throughout Rhode Island.
What makes this milestone even more meaningful is that the African American Museum of Rhode Island is grassroots funded. This museum was built through community vision, dedication, and support from people who believe these stories deserve a permanent home.
As we begin this next chapter, our mission remains clear: to amplify the voices, history, and contributions of Black Americans through exhibitions, education, and community engagement.
To help sustain this work, we are working toward an important goal of 600 museum memberships by July 1st. Membership directly supports the growth of the museum and helps ensure that these stories continue to be preserved and shared.
If you believe in this mission, we invite you to join us as a member.
Become a member at our website:
Together, we are preserving history, strengthening community, and building a lasting cultural institution for Rhode Island.
#AfricanAmericanMuseumofRhodeIsland #AAMRI #BlackHistory #RhodeIsland #providenceri
We’re anticipating a significant number of attendees at our opening this weekend. Please note, we’ve arranged for our ceremony and reception to take place up the street at Oasis International @oasisinternationalri to accommodate attendance.
The ceremony will be at 3pm.
Tours of the AAMRI welcome center/exhibition space will take place after the ceremony, beginning at 4pm.
Thank you and we look forward to seeing you there.
#blackmuseum #providence #providenceri #rhodeisland aamri
Making your donation only takes 15 seconds!
Visit the African American Museum Rhode Island Page on 401Gives.org to support our lineup of historical and creative programs, exhibitions, and workshops.
For more, visit the link in our Instagram bio. We could not do this work without you!
#401gives #blackmuseums #aamri #rhodeisland
Donate to the African-American Museum of Rhode Island this Tuesday through 401Gives, and help us keep Black Rhode Island’s history alive 🖤
Starting March 31st at 6AM until Wednesday April 1st.
Link in bio!
Or go to 401gives.org and Search > African American Museum of Rhode Island
#401Gives #BlackHistory #blackmuseums #rhodeisland
AAMRI has been featured by @pellcenter Ocean State Stories in an interview with Executive Director, Dr. Christopher West 🌊
To learn more, read the full article online , “Q&A with Dr. Christopher West, executive director, the African American Museum of Rhode Island” by G. Wayne Miller.
#aamri #blackmuseums #rhodeisland
Less than month away! The African American Museum of Rhode Island will open its initial location - the “First Space” cultural hub and gallery on April 4th, 2026. This space will serve as an inaugural site for African American Museum of Rhode Island exhibitions and initiatives, a space for visitors to check-in with African American history, and a place to call home as we continue to expand our facilities.
April 4th, 2026
Visit our website for more information and learn how you can donate to support the work - aam-ri.org
Thank you for joining us at A Church in a Triangle exhibition reception ⛪️ This work has been undertaken by a number of community affiliates invested in uncovering the role of Rhode Island’s churches in the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade.
Continue to visit the exhibition and purchase a copy of the research study.
#aamri #blackmuseum #rhodeisland #blackhistory #rhodeislandhistory
TODAY! Rescheduled reception 🎉 @ri_statehouse
AAMRI is proud to support “Owning Our History”, an exhibit now open at the Rhode Island State House exploring the deep and often uncomfortable ties between Providence’s early elite and the transatlantic slave trade.
Curated by Dr. Christopher West, Executive Director of the African American Museum of Rhode Island, and inspired by “A Church in a Triangle”: a groundbreaking report commissioned by First Unitarian Church of Providence as part of their 300th anniversary, this exhibit asks us to reckon honestly with the past so we can move forward with integrity.
Join us for the opening reception:
📅 Monday, March 2nd, 2026
🕕 6:00 PM
📍 State House Rotunda | 82 Smith St, Providence, RI
Book Credits: @ms.picard & Peter Laarman
#providenceri #rhodeisland #blackhistory #blackmuseum #aamri
