From 5:30PM to 6:30PM

During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, sport occupied an important social and cultural space in Newport’s African American community. On February 18, 2016 at 5:30pm, sports historian Robert Cvornyek will present Newport’s Black Giants: Race, Sport and Community as part of the Newport Historical Society’s Winter Festival programming. Professor Cvornyek will discuss how black athletic clubs, fraternal and civic organizations, and local neighborhood associations sponsored semi-professional and amateur teams that regularly competed against each other and nearby white teams. These ball-clubs represented Newport’s black neighborhoods and functioned as agents in the formation of racial identity and community. He will share how minority players transformed the city’s ball fields into public spaces dedicated to the struggle for equality. Newport’s Black Giants takes place at the Newport Historical Society’s Resource Center at 82 Touro Street, Newport, RI. General admission costs $5 per person, $4 with the Newport Winter Festival button and $1 for NHS members. Space is limited; please RSVP to 401-846-0813 x110 or email mdelaire@newporthistory.org.