INSPIRATION
Rob Black offered this wisdom from columnist Dave Barry:

 

“All of us are born with a set of instinctive fears – of falling, of the dark, of lobsters, of falling on lobsters in the dark, of speaking before a Rotary club, and of the words 'some assembly required.'"

 

President Holly holds up the

Leaning Tower of Pisa

as she and Bill enjoy Italy.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS, ETC.
Pres-elect Steve Hug, presiding, welcomed Ben Hadsell and Kim Dumpson and guest Kelly Lee, a friend of our speaker, all attending on Zoom.

 

Cap Willey encouraged members to give to the club’s Literacy Initiative in observance of the national Giving Day Tuesday, Nov. 30. Click here to give now.

 

Mary Brewster reminds us to donate new hats, scarves and gloves to be given to needy children through Family Service of RI. Bring them to the next meeting.

 

Nondas Voll reported on the Book Club’s recent discussion of Harlem Shuffle and previewed their next reading of Eleanor, a biography of Eleanor Roosevelt.

 

HAPPY BUCKS

Margaret Kane opened with $20 in tribute to Jerry Cannon, followed by the annual recitation of her famous popcorn stuffing recipe for Thanksgiving turkey.

 

 

 

Walter Adamowicz added a tribute to Jerry.

 

Jim Gilcreast had a buck, so he was happy.

 

Cap Willey gave a buck to welcome guest speaker Keith Stokes.

 

Nondas recommended that all members read A Matter of Truth, Keith Stokes and Theresa Guzmán Stokes’ just-published study of the history of racism and inequity in Providence.

 

A UNIQUE RHODE ISLAND APPROACH TO BLACK HISTORY
You probably didn’t know that our meeting place at the Marriott sits on the site of the second African community in Providence, known in the late 18^th century as Snowtown.

 

That’s just one nugget from what will be a comprehensive and innovative statewide curriculum for teaching African heritage to all Rhode Island public school students. It’s now being created by an organization called the 1696 Heritage Group, where our guest speaker, Keith Stokes, is vice president.

 

The Rhode Island curriculum is being built around three concepts that differentiate it from other approaches to the subject:

In doing the research, Stokes and associates have learned that Rhode Island has some of the oldest records on the topic, including the establishment of the country’s first association of free African-Americans, in Newport in 1780.

 

The 1696 Heritage Group is collaborating extensively with Rhode Island College and teachers throughout the state. In addition to being taught in elementary, middle and high schools, the ultimate product will have an online portal featuring an interactive map linking to elements of the history in each community around the state.