Entangled Histories: The Nightingales of Providence & the Legacy of Slavery

Schedule

Fri Oct 03 2025 at 06:00 pm to 07:30 pm

UTC-04:00

Location

First Unitarian Church of Providence | Providence, RI

Advertisement
This talk offers a personal reflection on how geography, archival silences, and generational knowledge shape Black ancestral reclamation.
About this Event

In this presentation, Brandon Nightingale shares the unfolding story of his genealogical journey, which began in 2017 and traces his family’s roots from St. Marys, Georgia back to Providence, Rhode Island. His research explores a potential connection between his surname and the white Nightingale family of Providence—one of whom migrated to Cumberland Island, Georgia. There, Brandon’s ancestors were enslaved in nearby St. Marys. Through a combination of archival research, oral history interviews, and the rediscovery of burial grounds, Brandon reconstructs a powerful narrative of displacement, survival, and memory. His journey recently culminated in a poignant reconnection with a descendant of the Nightingale family. This talk offers a deeply personal reflection on how geography, archival silences, and generational knowledge shape Black ancestral reclamation.

This program is co-sponsored by the First Unitarian Church, the Ruth J. Simmons Center for the Study of Slavery and Justice at Brown University, and Providence Preservation Society.

Brandon Nightingale is a historian, genealogist, and Ph.D. student at Howard University, where he serves as the Senior Project Manager for the Black Press Archives Digitization Project at the Moorland-Spingarn Research Center (MSRC). In this role, he oversees a multi-year initiative to preserve and make accessible thousands of historical African American newspapers on microfilm, leading efforts in metadata creation, quality control, public outreach, and digital infrastructure planning. He also supports research fellowships, supervises student staff, and collaborates with national partners to promote the legacy of the Black press.

A native of Jacksonville, Florida—at the southern edge of the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor—Brandon’s roots trace to nearby St. Marys, Georgia. Since beginning his genealogical journey in 2017, he has explored a potential link between his surname and the Nightingale family of Providence, Rhode Island, one of whom migrated to Cumberland Island, Georgia, where his ancestors were enslaved. His research explores how archival records, naming practices, and geographic displacements shape Black family histories and historical memory. Brandon’s work bridges the personal and institutional, combining archival preservation with public scholarship to expand access to African American historical narratives. He has presented at national and international conferences on Black media history, Pan-Africanism, and digital humanities.

Event Location: First Unitarian Church of Providence, 1 Benevolent Street. A reception at the Church will follow the presentation.

Note: This event is fully accessible for those using wheelchairs or having limited mobility. Handicapped parking spaces are marked in both First Unitarian’s lot and in street spaces beside the church on Benevolent Street. Both the sanctuary and Parish House are accessible via the breezeway that connects the buildings. More information about accessibility can be found here. To find the best bus route to the Church, please use RIPTA's interactive trip planner online here.

Parking for 25 cars is available in the First Unitarian lot on Benefit Street, beside the church. There is ample free on-street parking for several blocks around the church.

Advertisement

Where is it happening?

First Unitarian Church of Providence, 1 Benevolent Street, Providence, United States

Event Location & Nearby Stays:

Tickets

USD 0.00 to USD 17.85

Providence Preservation Society

Host or Publisher Providence Preservation Society

It's more fun with friends. Share with friends

Discover More Events in Providence

Townie pride Parade
Fri, 03 Oct at 04:45 pm Townie pride Parade

East Providence High School

LGBT-PRIDE PARADES
A new chapter
Fri, 03 Oct at 05:00 pm A new chapter

195 District Park

KIDS
First Fridays - Presented by DAIP
Fri, 03 Oct at 05:00 pm First Fridays - Presented by DAIP

Layali Restaurant Bar

FIRST-FRIDAY ART
Legacy in Motion With The Providence Foundation
Fri, 03 Oct at 05:30 pm Legacy in Motion With The Providence Foundation

Reserve on Dorrance

PERFORMANCES ENTERTAINMENT
Warehouse Gala, a fundraiser for the PDT!
Fri, 03 Oct at 07:00 pm Warehouse Gala, a fundraiser for the PDT!

The Clubhouse Gallery & Event Space

NONPROFIT LIVE-MUSIC
KARAOKE NIGHT! The Sing-u-larity at The Dusty Planet!
Fri, 03 Oct at 07:00 pm KARAOKE NIGHT! The Sing-u-larity at The Dusty Planet!

39 Troy Street, Providence, RI, United States, Rhode Island 02909

KARAOKE MUSIC
Brown Bears vs. Rhode Island Rams
Fri, 03 Oct at 07:00 pm Brown Bears vs. Rhode Island Rams

Brown Stadium

TRIPS-ADVENTURES
Highwater Haulers
Fri, 03 Oct at 07:00 pm Highwater Haulers

Fete Lounge

TRIPS-ADVENTURES
A Walking Tour of Poe's Providence
Sun, 28 Sep at 11:00 am A Walking Tour of Poe's Providence

Sarah Helen Whitman House

ART LITERARY-ART
RWP Museum Lifelong Learners: Roger Williams Park Statuary Stroll
Tue, 30 Sep at 10:00 am RWP Museum Lifelong Learners: Roger Williams Park Statuary Stroll

Museum of Natural History and Planetarium

ART WORKSHOPS
Entangled Histories: The Nightingales of Providence & the Legacy of Slavery
Fri, 03 Oct at 06:00 pm Entangled Histories: The Nightingales of Providence & the Legacy of Slavery

First Unitarian Church of Providence

Founding Waters: A Boat Tour with Roger Williams
Sat, 04 Oct at 12:00 pm Founding Waters: A Boat Tour with Roger Williams

101 Dyer Street, Providence, RI, United States, Rhode Island 02903

STORYTELLING
Where the Moderns & Postmoderns Went to Play: Pratt Street Walking Tour
Sun, 05 Oct at 11:00 am Where the Moderns & Postmoderns Went to Play: Pratt Street Walking Tour

Providence Preservation Society

ART FESTIVALS
Designing Home: Jews and Midcentury Modernism
Sun, 05 Oct at 05:00 pm Designing Home: Jews and Midcentury Modernism

Temple Beth El Providence

ART FESTIVALS
What Grows From Urban Renewal? Skateboarding & Local 3 at Cathedral Square
Tue, 07 Oct at 05:00 pm What Grows From Urban Renewal? Skateboarding & Local 3 at Cathedral Square

Cathedral Square

FESTIVALS ENTERTAINMENT
Modern Highlights from RISD Museum\u2019s Decorative Arts & Design Collection
Thu, 09 Oct at 02:00 pm Modern Highlights from RISD Museum’s Decorative Arts & Design Collection

RISD Museum

NONPROFIT FESTIVALS
250th Celebration of the Meeting House
Sat, 11 Oct at 10:00 am 250th Celebration of the Meeting House

75 N Main St, Providence, RI, United States, Rhode Island 02903

MEETUPS EXHIBITIONS
Black History on Providence\u2019s East Side Walking Tour
Sat, 11 Oct at 11:00 am Black History on Providence’s East Side Walking Tour

John Brown House

Federal Hill Columbus Day Parade Providence RI
Sun, 12 Oct at 11:00 am Federal Hill Columbus Day Parade Providence RI

Federal Hill (Atwells Ave.)

PARADES FESTIVALS

What's Happening Next in Providence?

Discover Providence Events