WFAC Exhibit Event: “A Matter of Truth" Lecture by Keith Stokes

475 Valley St,Providence RI 02908

18 August, 2021

Description

Keith Stokes will present a lecture titled “A Matter of Truth: The Struggle for African Heritage & Indigenous People Equal Rights". Keith Stokes, Vice President of the 1696 Heritage Group, will present a lecture titled “A Matter of Truth: The Struggle for African Heritage & Indigenous People Equal Rights in Providence, Rhode Island (1620-2020)”, reporting on his and Therese Stokes’ research detailed in their just published study of the history of racism and inequity in Providence. “A Matter of Truth” will be available for sale in the WaterFire bookstore. The presentation will be followed by a discussion. This WFAC program is part of exhibition related programming presented by WaterFire Providence in association with the current exhibition at the WaterFire Arts Center, “EYE TO EYE Photographs and Projects MARY BETH MEEHAN” and “ANNYE RAYE PITTS: WITNESS” an installation by Mary Beth Meehan and Jonathan Pitts-Wiley, open until August 22, 2021. For a full listing of programming visit, waterfire.org/eyetoeye-programming. The program is funded in part by the Rhode Island Foundation. Presented in cooperation with Leadership Rhode Island. "'A Matter of Truth’ reveals four centuries of the recorded and documented history of a ‘Separate and Unequal’ existence for African heritage, Indigenous, and people of color in Providence and Rhode Island through the scholarship of many historians, academic, and historical institutions,” said Keith Stokes, from the 1696 Heritage Group. “This history is essential, not only because it tells us about the past, but will help to create an environment and future policy platforms for positive change that fosters fairness, equity, and justice.” (pictured above: Redlining map of Providence, R.I. 1935 that declared whole neighborhoods unsafe financial risks) ABOUT THE EXHIBIT WaterFire Providence presents EYE TO EYE Photographs and Projects Mary Beth Meehan at the WaterFire Arts Center (WFAC), an exhibition of work from all four of Mary Beth Meehan’s most recent in-depth projects – from Brockton, Massachusetts, to Providence, Rhode Island, to Newnan, Georgia, to her newest project and book on Silicon Valley, California. A collaborative installation, ANNYE RAYE PITTS: WITNESS an installation by Jonathan Pitts-Wiley and Mary Beth Meehan will be on display in the Visitor Center Gallery. This exhibition will be at the WFAC from Wednesday, June 30 – Sunday, August 22, 2021. (exhibition photograph by Jared Winslow) ABOUT KEITH STOKES Mr. Stokes is Vice President with the 1696 Heritage Group. Mr. Stokes has a long and distinguished career in business and community development, with degrees from Cornell University and University of Chicago. His past professional positions have included Executive Director of the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation and Executive Director of the Newport County Chamber of Commerce. He has also been an Advisor for Rhode Island with the National Trust for Historic Preservation along with serving on numerous regional and national historic preservation boards including Chairman of the Touro Synagogue Foundation, Vice President & Trustee of the Preservation Society for Newport County, and Newport Historical Society. Mr. Stokes is a frequent national, state and local lecturer in community & regional planning, historic preservation and interpretation with an expertise in early African and Jewish American history. He has been the recipient of numerous local, state and national awards. Find out more about Mr. Stokes at https://www.1696heritage.com/our-team/. The WaterFire Arts Center is available for your next event! From Galas and Weddings to Business Lunches and Town Hall Meetings, we can make your event in Providence a success. Initially built in 1929 for the US Rubber Company as a multi-purpose manufacturing facility, WaterFire Providence completed renovation of the WaterFire Arts Center in the summer of 2017.