This has been a particularly eventful year for me as the Chair of the Ruth J. Simmons Center for the Study of Slavery and Justice and for all of us connected to the Center. It was particularly gratifying to have the opportunity to honor past Brown President Ruth Simmons by naming the Center after her. She was the catalyst for the creation of the Center as well as the Advisory Council. It is because of her leadership that many of us have enthusiastically joined the Council and supported its programs. The ceremony honoring her and unveiling the new name of the Center touched all of us in attendance. We were reminded again of Dr. Simmons’ knowledge, dignity and great love for Brown and the Center.

Supporting Dr. Bogues and the staff as they develop lectures, public programs, educational material and exhibitions has encouraged all of us on the Council to think both imaginatively and critically about the Simmons Center’s growth. The information provided in this year-end document offers an insight into the rich variety of activities which are generated by the Center. The seminars, educational materials, and exhibitions offered under the auspices of Simmons Center have made valuable contributions to discussions concerning race, decolonial practices and social justice around the world. Two initiatives involving the Public Humanities Program at Brown and the development of an international exhibition and publication with the National Museum of African American History and Culture especially resonated with me.

The decision to explore the possibility of bringing the Public Humanities program under the umbrella of the Center was a significant step. With the thoughtful perspectives of Dr. Bogues, the pros and cons of adding this additional responsibility to the portfolio of the Simmons Center generated careful discussions within the Council. In the end, all believed it was the right decision for the long-term development of the Simmons Center. The result is the creation of The Master’s in Integrative Studies (Public Humanities). The program will train the next generation of public humanities professionals who will carry a deep appreciation for the importance of race and social justice in the work they create.

Working with the National Museum of African American History and Culture of the Smithsonian Institution on an international exhibition to explore the impact of slavery worldwide has been another important initiative. The collaboration is a tribute to the high regard which other notable institutions have for the Simmons Center. The project entailed working with organizations and scholars on four continents to investigate the impact which the emergence of enslavement had on the economies, cultures and histories of these places. I have had the opportunity to work with the museum and understand that it is very selective about the partnerships it enters and the topics on which it is willing to commit significant resources. This project has been in process for several years and was a featured event at the museum in late 2024. The collaboration with the Simmons Center and Dr. Bogues is something the museum proudly highlights when discussing the project.

Along with these two specific projects among the many of the Simmons Center this year, I must recognize my happiness at working with the other members of the Advisory Council. They are an impressive group who are committed to the work of the Simmons Center and providing both intellectual and financial support. Our conversations over the course of the past year have enriched the quality of the work of the Simmons Center and have consistently impressed me with the rich perspectives they offer. They have made serving as the Chair working with them, Dr. Bogues and the Simmons Center staff an honor and a privilege.