African American Museum
& Bookshop
With the sale of our historic building, we officially closed our museum/shop after 10 years on Sunday, June 14. Thank you to all who helped finance our Swim Empowerment program by purchasing unique books, art and collectibles, and who explored Rhode Island's rich Black history in our exciting museum.
To learn more about our new location, email
During the pandemic, we worked diligently to flip our floor plan, so that 80% of our space was devoted to an African American Museum, the only one of its kind in the state at the time. In it, we told the remarkable stories of Black excellence and accomplishment in Rhode Island, unlike those any elsewhere in the country, through exhibits, videos and compelling artifacts.
Our exciting non-profit book & gift shop, supporting free swimming lessons for Black youth, was integrated into the museum, creating a unique synergy of missions: Rhode Island African American history and saving lives.
Never was there a more important time than then to elevate and illuminate Black lives.
Our work illuminating this history will continue through walking tours, lectures, portable exhibits, and events. You can be part of this on-going undertaking by donating.
"As I walked through the museum at Stages of Freedom in downtown Providence, I felt a great sense of pride and appreciation to see the beautifully displayed exhibits of Rhode Island African American history. I remember when Stages of Freedom was a dream. It means the world to me to see the dream come to fruition in such glorious ways! I will return again and again as it continues to grow. Congratulations Stages of Freedom!"
—Rose Weaver
Our Donors
Papitto Opportunity Connection
Champlin Foundation
Textron Charitable Trust
Kenney Brothers Foundation
The Rhode Island Foundation
Providence Journal Charitable Legacy Fund
Frederick R. Mattis & Sandra Williams
Vincent J. Buonanno, Jr.
Black Philanthropy Bannister Fund
Washington Trust
Berry Murray
Jennifer Turner
Dan & Susan Shedd
Richard J. Medicke
Michele & Paul Verduchi
William J. Trezvant, Esq.
Rose Weaver
Alexia Gordon
Elizabeth Francis
Chris Johnson Foster
Terrence Green
Mildred Nichols
Paula Poole
Dan Mitrovic
Joyce O'Connor
Nancy Davis
Daniel Blackford
Maia Farish
Sheryl G. Mason
Gretchen McCrae
Mary Johnson
Tommy O'Connor
Albin S. Moser
Hon. Kenneth Reeves
Brett Smiley
C. Morgan Grefe & Gage Prentiss
Dr. Richard Lobban
Gonzalo Cuervo
Lease Plimpton
Nicholas Hemond, Esq.
Bonnie & Guy Buzzell
William Trezvant. Esq.
Matthew A. Lopes, Jr., Esq.
RI Democratic Party
Kathleen E. Jellison
Charles Roberts
Hon. Stephen J. Fortunato, Jr.
John & Karen Muggeridge
Luis Manuel Estrada
Hon. Harold & Dayus Metts
Rochelle Lee
Scott Molloy
Maryann & Kevin Mathews
Hon. Jose F. Batista
Barbara Sokoloff
Dr. Herbert Rakatansky
Duane Clinker
Charette High School
Joanne Pope Melish
Robert H. Maloney & Eunice Montalvo
Martha E. Stone
Judy Barrett Litoff
Dylan Molho
Eric Hirsch
Robert Whitcomb
Michael Araujo & Elizabeth Haller
Robert Russell
United States Senator Sheldon Whitehouse
David P. Riley
William Harley & Debbie Block
Mohamed Ali
Hon. Nirva LaFortune
Van Liew Trust
David and Mimo Riley
Kenneth Nordstrom
Jeffrey & Christie Toth
Betty Rickman
Karen & David Parker
Polly Hutcheson
Nancy Davis
Robert & Elizabeth Kenner
Elizabeth Lupien
Jennifer Foster
Toby Ayers & Donald Keefer
Luis Peralta
Ruth Taylor
Joan L. Richards
