PROVIDENCE, RI — The 9th Annual Community Discussion Series at Lippitt House Museum looks at Immigration, Belonging and Civic Participation March 12 and 19. Lippitt House Museum, the Providence League of Women Voters, and the African Alliance of Rhode Island are partnering on two in-person community discussions about civic life for immigrants in Rhode Island.
On Tuesday, March 12, Julius Kolawole of the African Alliance of Rhode Island, along with Dr. Lawrencia Okai and Jacquelyn Richards will share about how their immigrant journey brought them to Rhode Island. They will discuss the barriers they found to civic participation in Rhode Island, how they navigated becoming active in community life, as well as suggestions individuals can take to welcome immigrants in our community.
The following Tuesday, March 19, representatives from three organizations that serve and advocate for immigrants in Rhode Island will discuss their current work and how community members can support immigrant civic engagement. The presenters scheduled are Rev. Chris Abhulime, from the new African Policy Research Institute; Dr. Omar Bah, Founder & Director of Programs for the Refugee Dream Center; and Marcela Betancur, Executive Director of the Latino Policy Institute.
The “Immigration, Belonging & Civic Participation Community Conversation” series is part of Rhode Island Civic Learning Week. RI Civic Learning 2024 Week highlights the importance of civic education in sustaining and strengthening constitutional democracy in the United States and recognizes that civic learning is a lifelong endeavor touching every facet of society.
“Immigration has always been a part of Rhode Island’s history. It’s shaped our culture and new immigrants today continue to enrich our communities." Carrie Taylor, Lippitt House Museum Director commented, “With community conversation programs like this, Lippitt House Museum explores opportunities for civic engagement for today’s immigrants and celebrates ways they contribute to Rhode Island’s future.”
How to sign up: The Community Discussion Series takes place March 12 and 19 at 199 Hope Street in Providence. Doors open at 6:30 pm with a short reception, followed by the facilitated discussion at 7:00 pm. Admission is free; reservations required as seating is limited. Register at https://www.preserveri.org/calendar
This program is supported in part by a grant from the League of Women Voters Rhode Island Education Fund.
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 14, 2024
Contact: Carrie Taylor
401|490.0289
CTaylor [at] PreserveRI.org
About Lippitt House Museum:
Preserve Rhode Island’s 1865 Lippitt House Museum offers guided tours on the first Thursday of each month as well as Fridays and select Saturdays May through October; summer concerts in the garden; and a variety of online programs and resources. Designated a National Historic Landmark, Lippitt House has one of the best-preserved Victorian interiors in America, allowing visitors to step into Providence’s Golden Age. Inspired by the Lippitt family's example of public service, Museum programming activates a place where art, history and community converge. www.LippittHouse.org
About the Providence League of Women Voters
The League of Women Voters Providence serves the city of Providence and the surrounding area. It is one of the oldest Leagues in the country. It was chartered in 1919, very shortly after the League of Women Voters was created as a division of the National American Women Suffrage Association at the NAWSA convention in St. Louis, MO March 1919. https://my.lwv.org/rhode-island/local-leagues-and-activities/lwv-providence
About the African Alliance of Rhode Island
The African Alliance of Rhode Island (AARI) promotes unity within the African Communities in Rhode Island, advocate for the rights of Africans in Rhode Island, and educate the American public about Africa. AARI supports and benefits agricultural producers, while evaluating the profile of the continent and facilitating linkages between Americans and Africans. https://africanallianceri.org/
