Chapter's Year at a Glance
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Events
Rev. Robert Williams Black History Month Assembly
April 4th Remembrance Program for the Assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Junteenth Holiday Celebration
July
Independence Day Celebration
August 16, 2025
31st Annual Golf Tournament
The chapter held their 31st annual golf tournament fund raiser at Green Valley Country Club, Portsmouth, RI. The event hosted 48 golfers. Funds raised will be used to support a scholarship as well as operational fees.
August 31, 2025
Annual Commemoration Service of the First Rhode Island Regiment
Rhode Island was supposed to have two forces, the 1st and 2nd Regiments, but there were only 400 soldiers left. That was half the number they needed. General James Varnum, Colonel Christopher Greene, Captain Stephen Olney, and the other officers decided to combine the remaining men into the 2nd Regiment. But how would they raise enough men for a new 1st Regiment?
With the British occupying Newport, its biggest city, Rhode Island needed most of its men at home. More than a thousand Rhode Islanders were already fighting as sailors on naval ships and privateers. Many of the remaining men couldn't or wouldn't fight.
By February only 50 men had volunteered. General Washington had ordered two Rhode Island regiments to report for duty. What could the officers do? Then General Varnum had an idea. Why not enlist slaves? Rhode Island had more slaves than any other state in New England. Newport was a major slaving port before the war, and many slaves worked on plantations in the southern part of the state.
The plan for the Black Regiment was placed before the Rhode Island legislature. Many of the state's lawmakers and wealthiest citizens were slave traders and slave owners. They were against the idea of arming slaves. They worried that enlisting slaves in the army would brew trouble with the slaves left behind. But no one had any better ideas for finding the soldiers Rhode Island needed.
So on February 23, 1778, the Rhode Island legislature passed the historic act creating a new 1st Rhode Island Regiment. The law stated that "every able-bodied Negro, mulatto, or Indian man-slave" could enlist. Rhode Island would pay owners for their slaves.
Rev. Robert Williams Black History Month Assembly
April 4th Remembrance Program for the Assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Junteenth Holiday Celebration
July
Independence Day Celebration
August 16, 2025
31st Annual Golf Tournament
The chapter held their 31st annual golf tournament fund raiser at Green Valley Country Club, Portsmouth, RI. The event hosted 48 golfers. Funds raised will be used to support a scholarship as well as operational fees.
August 31, 2025
Annual Commemoration Service of the First Rhode Island Regiment
Rhode Island was supposed to have two forces, the 1st and 2nd Regiments, but there were only 400 soldiers left. That was half the number they needed. General James Varnum, Colonel Christopher Greene, Captain Stephen Olney, and the other officers decided to combine the remaining men into the 2nd Regiment. But how would they raise enough men for a new 1st Regiment?
With the British occupying Newport, its biggest city, Rhode Island needed most of its men at home. More than a thousand Rhode Islanders were already fighting as sailors on naval ships and privateers. Many of the remaining men couldn't or wouldn't fight.
By February only 50 men had volunteered. General Washington had ordered two Rhode Island regiments to report for duty. What could the officers do? Then General Varnum had an idea. Why not enlist slaves? Rhode Island had more slaves than any other state in New England. Newport was a major slaving port before the war, and many slaves worked on plantations in the southern part of the state.
The plan for the Black Regiment was placed before the Rhode Island legislature. Many of the state's lawmakers and wealthiest citizens were slave traders and slave owners. They were against the idea of arming slaves. They worried that enlisting slaves in the army would brew trouble with the slaves left behind. But no one had any better ideas for finding the soldiers Rhode Island needed.
So on February 23, 1778, the Rhode Island legislature passed the historic act creating a new 1st Rhode Island Regiment. The law stated that "every able-bodied Negro, mulatto, or Indian man-slave" could enlist. Rhode Island would pay owners for their slaves.
Slaves had fought alongside White men in America before, but they never had the same pay or privileges. The new Rhode Island law said that slaves who enlisted would be given the same "bounty and wages" as White soldiers. More importantly, it said that "upon passing muster by Colonel Christopher Greene," each slave would be free.
Pictured above, the ceremonial laying of the wreath.Branch 1st Vice President Orlando Peace, Branch member Susan Barnes, and Charles Roberts participates in the laying of the wreath.
Don Mays, founder of AFRI film foundation was the Master of Ceremonies and the key note speaker was Commander Keith M Carter. Two musical selections were performed by Brenda Delasanta. Approximately 90 people attended the ceremony, which took place at Patriots Park, Portsmouth, RI.
Annual Awards Dinner
NEWS
- Provided support to the family of a sixteen year old girl who tragically took her own life. Grief counseling was set up at the Florence Gray Center.
- Working with Newport Police & Fire Department assisting teaching school-age students with making the appropriate 911 call.
- Flower donation was made to three families.
- The Legal Redress Committee met with a woman being harassed by her neighbors (called her kids “monkeys”).
- Working with Newport Police & Fire Department assisting teaching school-age students with making the appropriate 911 call.
- Flower donation was made to three families.
- The Legal Redress Committee met with a woman being harassed by her neighbors (called her kids “monkeys”).
QUOTE
"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."
-- Dr. Martin L. King Jr.
-- Dr. Martin L. King Jr.
Social Media
- X / Twitter
- Other