Friends of the Center for the Study of Slavery and Justice

Welcome to the first Friends Newsletter!

We, Friends of the Center for the Study of Slavery and Justice, support the CSSJ's efforts to foster a deeper understanding about the issues of justice, human rights, and freedom today. As supporters of the Center we know you are interested in Brown's historic involvement in the slave trade and how the Center addresses this history. Let your imagination carry you back to an earlier time at Brown when the first African American man attended as a student.

Inman Page was the first African-American to graduate from Brown in 1877.  He was born a slave and became a college president and distinguished educator.  Today we wonder if he were here, what would he say?

Since Page's time, Brown has made attempts to come to grips with its history. The following are just some of the programs of the CSSJ:

 

String Theory

String Theory an epistolary drama based on the case of the slave ship, La Amistad, written by Ifa Bayeza, Distinguished Artist in Residence in the Department of Africana Studies and directed by Carl Hancock-Rux, Bessie Award and OBIE Award winning artist.  The production features the Center for the Study of Slavery and Justice's Heimark Artists in Residence, the acclaimed Marian Anderson String Quartet, the first African-American ensemble in history to win a major classical music competition. Produced by the Department of Africana Studies' Rites and Reason Theatre in collaboration with the Center for the Study of Slavery & Justice.   

Department of Africana Studies' Rites and Reason Theatre
Churchill House, 155 Angell Street
George Houston Bass Performing Arts Space
May 20-22, 7:00 PM
May 23, 11 AM & 4 PM
 

We would encourage you to pay a special visit to a National Exhibit now on display at Brown (at the Brown RISD Hillel First Floor Gallery, 80 Brown St):  "Changing America -  The Emancipation Proclamation 1863 - the March, 1963."  Gallery Hours: Monday-Friday: 9am-10pm Saturdays: 10am-8pm Sundays: 12pm-6pm

The exhibition displays the historic 1963 march where Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his "Dream" speech.  The exhibit may be traveling to your city. Take the time to view the 4 short films contained in the link.

Take a look at this picture:
 

In 1968 Brown University's African American students staged a walkout.  They felt that the Brown Administration was not making enough effort to admit black students.  For three days they protested until President Keeney agreed to a scholarship recruitment plan. As a result, there was a 300% increase in black students enrolled at Brown. You can view images from the Fall 2014 exhibition at the Center here.

These are just some of the exciting programs of the Center.

Brown University currently funds the Center for the Study of Slavery and Justice, but much more is needed if the Center is going to be sustainable over the long term. The Friends are working toward raising funds to support an expansion in programming. Currently, we have a goal of raising $20,000 to enable the Center to plan for new programs such as one that focuses on contemporary forms of human trafficking. We have raised $10,000.

Would you be willing to join the Friends and help us reach our goal?

Secure Online Giving

    To give online please visit gifts.brown.edu.   Under the section Other Current-Use Priorities, type "Slavery & Justice" into the box provided.

By Mail

   Please make checks payable to Brown University with CSSJ in the memo field. Mail to: Brown University, Gift Cashier, Box 1877, 1 Prospect Street, Providence, RI 02912-1877.

In the last five months, 47 programs, concerts, and film festivals have been created at the Center.  This extraordinary production has been accomplished by the Center's amazing staff:

Professor Tony Bogues, Director
Professor Roquinaldo Ferreira, Associate Director
Shana Weinberg, Manager
Ruth Clark, Outreach and Program Coordinator

We urge you to please join the Friends of CSSJ by making a gift to sustain the remarkable work of the Center.                   

Ann Coles '63 & Tom Bale '63    
Co-chairs of the Friends