Episode #109: The Story of Black Newport: A Rich and Vibrant Legacy
From its earliest days as one of the most significant ports for the 18th-century slave trade to the late 19th-century years of the Gilded Age, Newport, Rhode Island, has been a tremendously important center for the evolution of America’s African heritage community. Viewers ot HBO’s “The Gilded Age” will follow the story of Peggy Scott and her family to Newport and directly into the center of Newport’s wealthy, thriving African heritage community in the late 19th century.
Joining The Gilded Gentleman to trace this extraordinary history of Newport’s African heritage community is historian Keith Stokes. Keith is a 9th-generation Newporter and is descended from many of the major players who were pathbreakers in the areas of civic government, education, medicine, and science during Newport’s Gilded Age.
The well-known stories of the Astor and Vanderbilt families, along with many others of the New York elite, are truly only part of the story of Newport and its pivotal role in American history. This special episode tells so much more of the story.
Carl is joined by special guest:
Keith Stokes, a native Newport, Rhode Island resident who has served as a Rhode Island Advisor for the National Trust for Historic Preservation along with serving on numerous regional and national historic preservation boards including Chairman of the Touro Synagogue Foundation, Vice President & Trustee of the Preservation Society for Newport County, advisory board of the Rhode Island Black Heritage Society and board member of the Newport Historical Society. Mr. Stokes has a long and distinguished career in business, history and community development, with degrees from Cornell University and the University of Chicago..
LISTEN NOW: The Story of Black Newport: A Rich and Vibrant Legacy
Related Podcast:
Inside Newport: Objects and Observations with Ulysses Dietz