Governor Dan McKee signs Rhode Island African Heritage and History Curriculum bill

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) – Governor Dan McKee on Friday signed the Rhode Island African Heritage and History Curriculum Bill into law.

The legislation requires public K-12 institutions to teach comprehensive African history and heritage curriculum, developed by state historical and academic institutions.

The bill signing took place at the Old Brick Schoolhouse in Providence, one of the earliest surviving brick schoolhouses in the country, and the first school for African heritage children fully supported by the City of Providence.

“Over the past year, I have witnessed our youth courageously stand up for what is right and this curriculum will further supply them with the knowledge to create a just and equitable world that embraces blackness and all other diverse aspects of our society,” said Sen. Tiara Mack (D-Dist. 6, Providence). “Through this, I have an abundance of hope for our future and this curriculum will give our next generations the blueprint to build this equitable, tolerant and respectful world and a society that celebrates its blackness not only in the past and the present, but into the future.”