Welcome to the Ruth J. Simmons Center for Slavery & Justice’s Black and Indigenous High School Summer Institute, an opportunity to explore and learn about New England’s rich Black and Indigenous histories. Launched in 2022 in partnership with the Tomaquag Museum, this exciting, free program offers high school students a unique opportunity to explore the rich, often untold histories of Black and Indigenous communities in New England. Designed to ignite curiosity and spark critical thinking, this program challenges students to rethink history by encouraging self-reflection, reading beyond the surface, and uncovering new perspectives on pivotal historical events. It’s more than just learning—it’s about reshaping how we understand the past to transform the future!
Black and Indigenous High School Summer Institute
A free summer program for Rhode Island rising 9th–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.
Black and Indigenous High School Summer Institute
A free summer program for Rhode Island rising 9th–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.
Overview
The Ruth J Simmons Center for the Study of Slavery & Justice at Brown University, in partnership with the Tomaquag Museum, is thrilled to offer a free, one-week summer institute for high school students. This exciting program includes breakfast, lunch, and course materials for each participant, but also an incredible opportunity to dive deep into history, culture, and justice. Rising 9th-grade students and graduating 12th-graders from the Rhode Island community are encouraged to apply and join in this unforgettable experience. Please note that transportation is limited, so students and their families will need to arrange their own transportation to and from campus during the week.
Key Dates
- Monday, June 9, 2025 or Monday, June 17, 2025 at 6:30pm via Zoom: Meet & Greets (Parents/Guardians with Simmons Center). We will try to record one of these sessions for families that cannot make it.
- Saturday, June 24, 2025: Student Orientation (via Zoom)
- Monday, July 7, 2025: Student Consent Forms & Documents Due
- Monday, July 14, 2025: Program Start Date
- Friday, July 18, 2025: Program End Date
Our Why?
The Ruth J Simmons Center for the Study of Slavery & Justice was established following a recommendation from the Slavery & Justice Report published in 2006. The First Edition recognized that racial and chattel slavery were central to the historical formation of the Americas and the modern world. However, it did not fully acknowledge that colonization and slavery were deeply interconnected, beginning with the Indigenous peoples. Since then, the Simmons Center has continued to learn and grow, driven by both our own findings and the insightful recommendations from the Land Acknowledgement Working Group. We have been challenged to explore meaningful ways to memorialize Rhode Island's role in settler colonialism and the transatlantic slave trade. The Simmons Center is committed to educating young people and educators about this history, believing that sharing this knowledge is essential to moving forward and fulfilling our mission.
The Program
During the program, students will take a Dawnland History course, focusing on Metacom’s Rebellion against the English in honor of its 350th anniversary. Additionally, students will explore a course on the Black History of the Dawnland, along with other non-traditional courses that dive deeper into these important and interconnected histories.
Program Schedule
- 8–8:55 AM: Community Huddle
- Welcome
- Attendance
- Light Breakfast
- 9–10:30 AM: A-Block Class: Dawnland History of Metacom’s Rebellion
- 10:30–11 AM: Reflection/ Meditation/ Break
- 11 AM–12:30 PM: B-Block Class: Black History in the Dawnland
- 12:30–1:30 PM: Lunch
- 1: 30–2 PM: Reflection/ Meditation/ Break
- 2–4 PM: Non-Traditional Classes
- 4–4:30 PM: Dismissal
Program Objectives
In addition to providing students with a deep understanding of Black and Indigenous histories in New England, we also aim to support them in developing and strengthening the following skills:
- Students will grow their knowledge base of local Black and Indigenous histories from the lens of historically oppressed groups.
- Students will reflect on themselves as learners and as representatives of historically impacted populations in joyful and affirming ways.
- Students will develop leadership skills through hands-on group activities, discussions, direct action training, and opportunities to express themselves.
- Students will collaborate and form deep and meaningful supportive relationships with each other, facilitators, and community members in order to build interdependent communities of care.
Finally, we hope that during their time in the program, students will have the opportunity to connect with various departments, offices, and educators at Brown University. These interactions will not only provide valuable information and resources but, more importantly, inspire students to envision themselves as future scholars at Brown University or any other institution of higher learning.
Application
Applications will be processed by a committee consisting of Simmons Center staff. Items assessed on the rubric include date of application, clarity of responses given, and interest in the objectives of the program.
If this opportunity interests you or a young person you know, please apply by May 23, 2025 at 11:59 PM!
Questions? Email reina_thomas@brown.edu