The Simmons Center is a hub of educational resources that provides access to curricula geared toward Rhode Island students that meet the needs of our diverse multilingual learners. Our educational program also offers professional development through restorative justice and responsive classroom frameworks to teachers and educational leaders.
Ruth J. Simmons Center for the Study of Slavery and Justice
Youth-based Programming
The Simmons Center is a hub of educational resources that provides access to curricula geared toward Rhode Island students that meet the needs of our diverse multilingual learners. Our educational program also offers professional development through restorative justice and responsive classroom frameworks to teachers and educational leaders.
Youth-based Programming
The Simmons Center is a hub of educational resources that provides access to curricula geared toward Rhode Island students that meet the needs of our diverse multilingual learners. Our educational program also offers professional development through restorative justice and responsive classroom frameworks to teachers and educational leaders.
Current Programs
MET in the Text is a partnership with the MET High School focused on increasing student literacy and fostering a love for reading. Students visit Brown’s campus twice a month to engage with a curated set of texts. Local guest speakers enrich their experience. The program connects local students to the University, helping them to envision a future at Brown and broadening pathways to higher education.
A free summer program for Rhode Island rising 10th-12th grade students, the Black and Indigenous High School Summer Institute is designed within a restorative justice framework that centers on self-reflection, critical thinking, and reading against the grain to reframe how we understand history and heal our communities.
A free educator’s guide for teaching about historical injustice, sovereignty, and freedom in the Dawnland (New England)
The best part is being with people, like me, who care about diversity issues and want to do something about it…We’re learning how to solve these issues together as a group.
2022 Black and Indigenous High School Summer Institute participant
Community Partnerships and Engagement
News from the Simmons Center
PrYSM Collaboration Fall 2024
This past semester, as part of the Simmons Center’s Community Engagement Initiative and K–12 focus, we hosted Providence Youth Student Movement (PrYSM) in Norwood House as they held their annual fall training series. This year’s series was called Liberation 101 and was led by Suonriaksmay Keo (she/her/hers), the Youth Engagement Director of PrYSM.
Slavery & Legacy Walking Tours
Students can also engage with the Center through our Slavery & Legacy Walking Tours. We ask that all requests are made at least two weeks in advance in order for our team to properly manage the logistics. Thank you for your continued support and we look forward to seeing you on a tour soon!
Request a Slavery & Legacy Walking Tour
Listen to audio for each stop on the tour
View and download the Slavery & Legacy Walking Tour brochure and map