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Nearly two dozen nonprofits serving the state’s Black community will receive nearly $130,000 in grants through the Black Philanthropy Bannister Fund at the Rhode Island Foundation.  

“There is no more appropriate time to bolster the work of organizations that are challenging the historic causes of inequity,” said David N. Cicilline, president and CEO. “Working closely with our donors, community leaders and nonprofit partners, we are reducing disparities and closing achievement gaps so as to create a better future for all Rhode Islanders.”  

The Black Philanthropy Bannister Fund was established in 2007 to address the needs of the Black community. Over the years, nearly $1.4 million in grants and scholarships have been awarded. Grants are offered to support nonprofits that provide youth development and mentoring, promote the history and achievements of Blacks in Rhode Island, preserve the culture of the Black community and strive to uplift low-income Black Rhode Islanders.  

The grants come as the Foundation launches its new Five-Year Action Plan and introduces six Community Priorities: Climate Action and Sustainability, Civic and Cultural Life, Education and Student Sucess, Healthy and Strong Communities, and Housing and Economic Mobility, all with diversity, equity, inclusion and access at their core.  

Twenty-two nonprofits received grants from the Fund:

AS220 will use its grant to support its AS220 Youth program, which offers creative arts education, mentorship and workforce development for young people age 14 to 21. The program serves Black, Indigenous and Youth of Color, parenting youth, youth in foster care, youth living in poverty and youth disconnected from school or employment. In 2023, AS220 Youth served 376 young people, is a 39% increase from the prior year; 89% were people of color and over 70% came from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.  

“Our free after-school programs focus on arts and social justice education. Through mentorship by working artists in the community, youth learn foundational skills across mediums in both visual and performing arts. They also learn valuable workforce skills as well as complex problem solving and crucial social-emotional skills,” said Mike Ahern, AS220 grants manager. “These youth participate in our Futureworlds service-learning curriculum, which combines social justice education, critical thinking and problem solving, civic engagement and artmaking. They spend the year learning about their chosen issue and its impact in their communities, teaching their peers, envisioning solutions and creating original work that is presented to the public, typically as a multidisciplinary theater production.”  

The Boys and Girls Clubs of Providence will use its grant to support its Princes 2 Kings program, a year-round group mentorship program designed to empower teenage boys of color living in Providence. The program includes art and welding workshops with an anti-gun violence message, cooking classes led by a professional chef, entrepreneurship projects, and legal field exploration.  

“Through mentorship, life-skills training and career exploration, we build on the natural strengths, creativity and leadership potential of these boys in our community. These opportunities give participants the life and career-readiness skills they need to grow into confident, community-minded leaders,” said CEO Nicole Dufresne. “By focusing on their potential and celebrating what they bring to the table, we give these teenage boys the tools and support to build fulfilling lives. We aim to nurture their talents and aspirations while connecting them with mentors who share similar backgrounds, helping them grow into future leaders in their communities.”  

College Visions will use its grant to support its Black and Latino Male Fellowship, which is designed to increase the rates of school engagement, high school graduation and college enrollment among Black and Latino young men. The two-year college-and career-readiness program draws students from various high schools in Providence and other urban communities in Rhode Island.  

“We provide tailored support and mentorship to participants. The culturally responsive, strengths-based curriculum includes monthly learning circles and individual advising sessions,” said Lamont Gordon, CV’s executive director. “Year one focuses on a critical examination of the Black and Latino male experience in education, academic success, college and career exploration, leadership, wellness and community-building. This asset-based programming includes group workshops, individual advising meetings, campus visits and special events. In year two, we focus on the college application process. Once enrolled in college, we continue support our grads through our College Success Program to help them successfully transition to college and earn their degree.”

The Everett School will use its grant to offer Providence students courses in areas such as story dance, theater, and break dance as a way for them to learn, create, explore and perform while also gaining academic and social skills, developing positive relationships and increasing safety.  

“We are filling holes in our students’ lives as we provide after-school engagement, adult mentors, employment and support in areas such as succeeding in school. The impact of our emotion-based work is seen in students who report feeling the signs and symptoms related to exposure to trauma - such as mood swings, trouble sleeping, and feelings of guilt - less frequently or with less intensity. A bond is built between students and our artists that makes them feel safer and more understood. As an ultimate outcome, these young people will have improved their social, emotional and mental health, which will lead them to feel happy and hopeful more often and move toward more successful future outcomes,” said Aaron Jungels, executive director.  

The Genesis Center will use its grant to provide emergency tuition support for children enrolled at its Early Learning Center. The center overwhelmingly serves children of color; most of whom come from households at-or-below the federal poverty line, which puts them at risk of accumulating tuition debt.  

“We recognize that families need access to quality, affordable childcare in order to be able to gain and maintain employment and become financially independent. It ensures that working families have safe and convenient childcare and can successfully transition from unemployment or minimum wage work into a livable-wage career,” said Shannon Carroll, president and CEO. “Beyond that, it will free up funds for families to use for other needs - housing, food or medical care – helping to break the cycle of poverty and advance toward upward financial mobility.”  

Inspiring Minds will use its grant to support The Explorers Programs, run by the Director of Career Development and Education, Kia Minor. The program is designed to encourage students of color to consider teaching as a career. The program has three elements: Work-Based Experience, Skill-Based Workshops, and Mentoring. As many as 52 students are expected to participate.  

“The goal is to grow the existing pipeline of teachers who reflect the demographics, culture, and languages of students of color and support them along their journey to becoming an educator. We work with young people to provide them with opportunities for teaching and learning as a career, and they will see that there are a myriad of high-wage, high-demand occupations within public schools. They will also explore career pathways and early-career positions that will help support their journey. They will also be able to understand the benefits and challenges of becoming a teacher today and what resources are to support them on their journey to becoming a teacher that is relevant and reflective of the students and the communities they work with,” said Sokeo Ros, executive director.  

Man Up Inc. will use its grant to support its Road to Independence program, which provides comprehensive support for as many as 40 formerly incarcerated Black men seeking to obtain their driver’s licenses. It will provide financial assistance for legal and procedural challenges related to fines, reinstatement fees as well as legal assistance, financial literacy training and case management to help participants regain their driving privileges and improve their overall employment prospects.  

“The simple act of having a driver’s license can clear the way for these men to reduce transportation barriers, enhance employment opportunities and promote long-term self-sufficiency. By removing this key obstacle, participants will be empowered to access jobs, housing and essential services, leading to reduced recidivism and strengthened community ties,” said Rhonda Price, founder and CEO.  

Mini Entrepreneurs of Rhode Island will use its grant to support entrepreneur fairs, summer camps, after-school programs, mini-entrepreneur business-pop-up events and mentoring programs targeting children of color ages 4-to-15 from economically disadvantaged communities and first-generation households.  

“We instill a love of learning, ignite curiosity and build confidence so youth can take on any challenge that comes their way. We seek to create opportunities that support the personal and academic development of children as lifelong learners - both in school and in life,” said Erica Campbell, founder and executive director. “We have a ‘two-generation approach’ and work with families as a whole to ensure that there are benefits across generations, including offering financial empowerment education provided by certified financial advisors.”  

Mixed Magic Theatre and Cultural Events in Pawtucket will use its grant to help stage “A Kwanzaa Song,” which will combine elements of theatre, storytelling, music and dance to tell the story of Azu. a young African spirit. In addition to live performances, the theatre plans to produce a high-quality video documenting the show’s production process, which will include final performance footage and interviews with audience members and participants.

“This is not just a play. It is an effort to build bridges that connect, or better, reconnect, the many people and communities that form the African diaspora. It is an effort to express joy in our roots, sorrow over past events and celebrate our remarkable resilience and the power of the human spirit. It is also an opportunity to share our story with other peoples of the world and invite them to share their stories with us,” said Ricardo Pitts-Wiley, playwright and founder of Mixed Magic Theatre.  

“A Kwanza Song” is the story of Azu, who aspires to join The Ndaalava, the ancestral spirits that help Africa’s people to survive and prosper. Azu is faced with a great test of his wisdom and courage when some of the people he has committed to serve and protect are stolen and sold into bondage, He must help them hold on to hope until they are again free and able to connect with their true history and heritage.  

“We hope that this production will annually provide an opportunity to celebrate the lives and histories of the people who make up the incredible and massive African diaspora. A highly desired outcome would be that these stories can be told not only as evidence of man’s inhumanity to man, but also as proof of the power and beauty of the human spirit,” said Pitts-Wiley.  

The Montessori Community School of Rhode Island will use its grant to create a career pipeline for historically under-represented teachers through financial assistance, mentorship and professional development. The organization expects about 20 people to participate over the next two years.  

“The core of this initiative is educator support and workforce development to address inequities in early childhood education. Our primary goal is to create pathways for educators of color by removing barriers to Montessori certification and providing professional development. This will foster economic mobility through increased compensation and career opportunities while building a diverse, culturally competent workforce that reflects the identities and experiences of the students they serve,” said Sabrina Uribe, executive director.  

The Nonviolence Institute will use its grant to support its Skills Enrichment and Employment Development (SEED) program, which offers 2-week, 40-hour nonviolence training annually to 200 youth from Providence and other urban communities. This specialized program for youth ages 15-to-24, pairs nonviolence training with mentoring and pre-employment skills training. After completing the program, participants continue to be connected to the Institute’s case management and outreach staff, who make referrals to community-based services as needed.  

“Recent research from the University of Rhode Island showed that participants in our SEED program had significant decreases in aggressive behavior as measured by a validated aggression scale developed by the Centers for Disease Control. They also were more likely to report that they could have an impact on social justice and community-wide issues than prior to participating in our training,” said Lisa Pina-Warren, executive director.  

Oasis International will use its grant to support its mentoring and leadership programs for the Black and African-American immigrant community. The works includes the African Summer Bash, Black History Month programs, school vacation programs, financial literacy training, back-to-school and after school programs.  

“The goal of the program is to create an educative platform for bringing African American youth together and engaging them in life-changing activities where they are educated on productive ventures and lead on career paths that will make them self-sustaining and free from violence and other social vices. It is our channel of raising future role models and leaders,” said Muraina Akinfolarin, executive director. “Through these programs, we have developed credibility with our residents and established the necessary connections to bring together the diverse components of our neighborhoods for social and economic advancement.”  

The Providence Student Union will use its grant to offer behavioral health wellness programs for student leaders of color in Providence. The organization will partner with Phoenix Rising Centers to offer individual counseling services, group therapy and educational wellness workshops at no cost to students.  

“Through the program, we seek to promote emotional well-being, self-care, and a sense of community among BIPOC youth leaders. We aim to reduce barriers to mental health care that BIPOC youth face and support healing justice for our community by providing culturally relevant counseling services and social-emotional education in a convenient, youth-friendly location near three major public high schools,” said Denezia Fahie, executive director.  

Rhode Island Black Storytellers will use its grant to support the continued growth of the organization. In the last five years, Black Storytellers has expanded from one major annual event to offering ongoing programs throughout the year.  

“Our programs have grown as community need has grown to include school programs at Providence elementary schools, storytelling training for adults, school break and summer vacation youth storytelling camps, and a pilot Legacy Academy to train new professional artists. To sustain and advance that growth, our staffing model must evolve. The move toward supporting a creative director to oversee artistic vision and program development, and a business manager to ensure operational and financial sustainability will allow more services to be provided throughout the Providence and greater Rhode Island BIPOC community,” said Valerie Tutson, executive director.  

The Rhode Island Coalition of Black Women will use its grant to support the expansion of the Moot Court experience for Rhode Island girls in grades 6-12 from area schools. Designed to provide Black youth with hands-on exposure to the legal process, the program offers participants the opportunity to develop critical skills in legal reasoning, public speaking and courtroom procedure through simulated court cases.  

“By engaging in this immersive learning experience, students will gain valuable insights into the legal profession and build the confidence needed to pursue higher education and careers in law. The primary beneficiaries of this program are Black youth, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, who will be empowered to explore new career pathways, develop essential skills, and positively impact their communities,” said Angela Tucker Alston, president.  

Rhode Island Slave History Medallions in Newport will use its grant to support its new Roots of Freedom Youth Education Program, which gives Newport County middle school and high school students the opportunity to learn about the inspiring lives and rarely heard narratives of people of color in the state’s early history.  

“Shedding light upon their contributions to our state and our nation. Based in part upon our new Newport Black History Walking Tour and its documented narratives, nearly two years in development, the Youth program will highlight our national roots and BIPOC cultural heritage, exploring the values of freedom, diversity, understanding and human rights,” said Charles Roberts, executive director.  

The planning and pilot phase will focus on development of a curriculum with specialized interpretive value and history framework for youth participants, including age-appropriate companion texts and guide materials to enhance the educational impact with both pre- and post-tour activities. Outreach will include Newport County schools, youth groups and the educational community, including the Dr Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center, FabNewport and the Newport Community School, and after-school programs such as NewportFilm’s Documentary Unbound. Program pilot tours will be offered and scheduled in fall 2025 and spring 2026.  

“Our new history education program will enhance existing curriculum, offering culturally sensitive, experiential and fun project-based learning with walking tours, hands-on cultural arts workshops and performances, history readings, and outdoor group activities, such as an interactive scavenger hunt. The narrative foundation of the program is the well-researched and guided Black History Walking Tour: Lost Stories of Resistance and Freedom and its numerous medallion sites in Newport's Historic District,” said Roberts.  

Rhode Islanders Sponsoring Education will use its grant to support educational services for children of incarcerated parents in Providence. The organization offers two programs: mentoring and supports to help students attend effective, nurturing non-public schools; and reports that 100 percent of its students have graduated from high school over the past 12 years. In 2024, every student who graduated from high school went on to attend college.  

“Our goal is high school graduation, helping highly at-risk children break the intergenerational cycle of poverty, crime, and addiction. Children of incarcerated parents are six times more likely to experience incarceration themselves. Support enables these children to graduate and go on to post-secondary education. They are empowered to become confident, contributing citizens with increased earning potential, better health and a lower likelihood of incarceration,” said Kaitlin Della Grotta, executive director.  

The Social Enterprise Greenhouse will use its grant to support its GROW program supports communities of color by catalyzing economic prosperity through entrepreneurship. The services include weekly business clinics, trainings and workshops, networking opportunities and community economic development efforts.  

“Many businesses express frustration around navigating the confusing web of services offered by business support organizations and government agencies and often feel that many of the services are localized in Providence. GROW makes connections where those gaps exist, eliminating barriers to access and enabling entrepreneurs to launch and grow successful businesses,” said CEO Julie Owens.  

Stages of Freedom will use its grant to support its work marking the gravesite of pioneering Black 19th-century entrepreneur Christiana Carteaux Bannister. The organization plans to install a plaque on her gravestone in Providence's North Burial Ground.  

“Christiana Carteaux Bannister remains one of Rhode Island's most consequential figures of African and Narragansett descent, yet her story is incomplete. While her brilliant husband has started to gain enormous public attention due to the recent unveiling of a life-size sculpture of him on the Providence River, she remains mostly in his shadow. Buried in the same plot next to Edward, she is startlingly unacknowledged. The plaque will anchor her place in history and heritage and benefit the growing number of Bannister enthusiasts who journey to this cemetery as a destination to further understand both Christiana's and Edward's place in Rhode Island's history of Black excellence and accomplishment,” said Robb Dimmick, program director.  

WattsNatural Tutoring (WNT) will use its grant to expand its out-of-school-time programs for striving readers and school-aged students, including hosting a Caregiver Support Program designed to empower caregivers in supporting striving readers at home.  

“In addition to receiving one-on-one or small group tutoring, participants will also be supported by caregivers and mentors alike. Our out-of-school-time programs for students will continue to happen during school vacations. Students will receive instruction in Reading and other subjects as needed,” said Latoya A. Watts, executive director.  

“Furthermore, recognizing the critical role caregivers play in a child's literacy development, WNT will provide professional-led modeling of effective reading instruction techniques tailored to meet the needs of striving readers. Educators and literacy specialists conduct interactive sessions where they demonstrate evidence-based reading instructional approaches. These sessions are designed to equip caregivers with practical strategies to facilitate reading progress in their children.”  

Youth in Action will use its grant to empower youth of color across Rhode Island by enhancing their access to high quality after-school and extracurricular programs geared towards building crucial 21st-century skills, such as critical thinking, communication, public speaking and project management. In addition, the organization promotes social-emotional growth through co-creating a space where youth of color feel a sense of belonging.  

“Our work addresses a critical need in Rhode Island by resourcing youth of color to confront the systemic barriers that they and their families face. Our youth are facilitating intergenerational change, building coalitions that advocate for equitable opportunities to education, career development and leadership. As adult allies, we offer targeted support, skill building and mentorship, creating spaces where they can step into their power,” said Stephanie Nunes, executive director.    

The Fund also offers scholarships for Black students who are pursuing or advancing a career in health care in college or a technical school. Last year, the Fund awarded $53,000 in aid. The deadline to apply for 2025 scholarship assistance is April 14.    

Members of the public can support the Fund’s work by donating on-line on  the Foundation’s website or by contacting Christine Pellegri at cpellegri@rifoundation.org.  

The Rhode Island Foundation is the largest and most comprehensive funder of nonprofit organizations in Rhode Island. Through civic leadership, fundraising and grant-making activities, together with neighbors and partners, the Foundation is helping to create progress that lasts.