Founded in 2016, Stages of Freedom is an award-winning non-profit that has at its core addressing racial inequities in Rhode Island and ensuring that Black Lives Do Matter. We do this through:
1) Swim Empowerment, a multi-awarded statewide program that provides no-cost swimming lessons to RI African American youth, who drown at five times the rate as white youth, at nine partnering YMCAs.
2) Cultural and arts events 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) A Museum of Rhode Island African American history and non-profit bookshop, proceeds from which help fund Swim Empowerment.
5) Environmental Justice through its tree planting initiative for South Providence.
6) Dissemination of Black history and events presented through its daily e-blast, “Connected.” (Email: StagesofFreedom@aol.com to receive it.)
