Black Heritage Society Elects New President
Wednesday, February 02, 2011
The Rhode Island Black Heritage Society announced the election of Joyce Stevos to the office of President. The Society’s Board of Directors voted unanimously for her to succeed Charles Newton, who finishes his term after serving as President for three years.
Stevos is no stranger to Society leadership, having helped to found the organization in 1975 and served as president from 1989 to 1996. She brings an academic background in Rhode Island Black History and extensive experience as an educator in the Providence Public School system.
Stepping in at an exciting time
Stevos enters the presidency at an exciting time for the Rhode Island Black Heritage Society and will not be able to miss a step during her transition, with the impending selection of a new site for the Society’s famous collection of African American documents and artifacts and the release of two historic documents in February.
The Society will be publishing “History of the Olney Street Baptist Church” (1901-1906) and “Black in a White Church: Biographies of African American Members of the First Baptist Church In America.” The latter’s unveiling on February 19 at the Providence Art Club will be Stevos’ first public appearance as Society President.
Stevos eager to begin
Eager to begin her work, Stevos remarks that she “looks forward to establishing a program of events, finding a home for the Society, and having 1,000 paying members by the end of the year. In addition I hope that the Society will be a constant reminder to the community of the outstanding contributions African Americans have made to the history of Rhode Island.”
The Rhode Island Black Heritage Society’s mission is to acquire, preserve and display Rhode Island’s African American history. This Society records and publishes historical information and acts as a repository and educational resource for the community.
For information on how to support The Rhode Island Black Heritage Society, please visit www.ribhs.org or call 421-0606.