Event Video

Valerie Tutson of the Rhode Island Black Storytellers leads us in song at the 2019 Kwanzaa Celebration.

In the News

NEWPORT — The Black Nationalist Flag was designed by activist Marcus Garvey and others in 1920, but it took 100 years for it to fly from Newport City Hall.

More than three dozen people gathered in the freezing cold Friday evening to celebrate the event, which was an initiative of Sankofa Community Connection led by Niko Merritt, founder and executive director of the group.

“The flag represents the significant history we celebrate during Black History Month,” Merritt said. “Black history is American history.”

Video of the proclamation reading. Mayor Jamie Bova

Juneteenth an official holiday in Newport, RI

On Juneteenth, 2020 (Friday June 19,2020) - Jamie Bova, Mayor of Newport, RI issued a proclamation to recognize Juneteenth as a holiday for the City of Newport, RI.

View the video of her reading the proclamation and pictures of the proclamation below: