MISSION
Our Mission:
1. Eliminate drowning disparities by providing free, life-saving swimming lessons to youth of color, dismantling systemic barriers to water safety and physical well-being.
2. Cultivate future leaders by expanding Black youth’s access to cultural capital through immersive workshops and engagement with Rhode Island's arts and performance sectors.
3. Advance racial equity by producing arts and humanities programming that celebrates Black Rhode Island heritage, fostering community and cultural understanding across diverse audiences.
Our Background:
Founded in 2016, Stages of Freedom is an award-winning nonprofit dedicated to dismantling racial inequities in Rhode Island and centering the value of Black lives. We achieve this through six core pillars:
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Swim Empowerment: A multi-award-winning statewide initiative providing no-cost swimming lessons to Black youth—who face a drowning rate five times higher than their white peers—through partnerships with nine YMCAs.
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Youth Empowerment & Mentorship: Cultivating confidence through cultural workshops and events, including Bow Ties for Boys, Girls’ Tea Party, and Jazz is a Rainbow.
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Cultural Heritage: Producing programs that celebrate African American history to build bridges of understanding across racial divides.
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Social Enterprise: Operating a Museum of RI African American History and a nonprofit bookshop, with 100% of proceeds supporting the Swim Empowerment program.
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Environmental Justice: Expanding green equity through a dedicated tree-planting initiative in South Providence.
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Community Connection: Curating and disseminating Black history and local events through our daily digital newsletter, Connected.
Non-Discrimination Policy:
Adopted by the Board of Directors on June 30, 2016
Stages of Freedom does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, clients, volunteers, subcontractors, vendors, and clients.
Stages of Freedom is an equal opportunity employer. We will not discriminate and will take affirmative action measures to ensure against discrimination in employment, recruitment, advertisements for employment, compensation, termination, upgrading, promotions, and other conditions of employment against any employee or job applicant on the bases of race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, veteran's status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.