Our Vision
We envision a future where the richness and diversity of Latino stories are recognized as integral to the fabric of society, fostering a deeper understanding, connection, and appreciation across communities. By amplifying Latino voices, we strive to build a legacy of inclusivity, empowerment, and cultural pride for generations to come.
About Us. Nuestras Raíces: The Latino Oral History Project of Rhode Island began in 1991 with a single interview. Over the years, it has grown into a rich and diverse collection of personal stories, photographs, and documents that capture the history of Rhode Island’s Spanish-speaking community. Our mission is to collect, share, and celebrate the unique and varied experiences of Latinos in Rhode Island through their own voices.
Educators. We aim for this collection of personal stories from Rhode Island’s Latino pioneers to inspire young people, helping them develop the skills, knowledge, and attitudes needed to become competent and responsible citizens. We hope the materials on this website can complement and enrich the teaching of Rhode Island history, beginning in 4th grade and continuing through middle and high school.
We provide workshops and presentations for youth groups, community organizations, and schools, highlighting the history of Latinos in Rhode Island as part of our project. These sessions can be customized to last anywhere from one to three hours.
To inquire or schedule a session, click the "Contact Us" button at the top-right of this page.
Please note: A speaker fee applies to these presentations.
Educators. We aim for this collection of personal stories from Rhode Island’s Latino pioneers to inspire young people, helping them develop the skills, knowledge, and attitudes needed to become competent and responsible citizens. We hope the materials on this website can complement and enrich the teaching of Rhode Island history, beginning in 4th grade and continuing through middle and high school.
We provide workshops and presentations for youth groups, community organizations, and schools, highlighting the history of Latinos in Rhode Island as part of our project. These sessions can be customized to last anywhere from one to three hours.
To inquire or schedule a session, click the "Contact Us" button at the top-right of this page.
Please note: A speaker fee applies to these presentations.
Rhode Island's Latino communities are richly diverse and dynamic. Our collection, which began with stories of Latino pioneers, is expanding to capture the full breadth and depth of the experiences, complexities, and beauty of the Latino/Latina/Latinx populations across the state.
Latinos contribute significantly to the cultural, social, political, and economic fabric of Rhode Island, living in both urban and rural areas statewide. Within the next decade, Latinos are projected to become the largest minority population in Rhode Island. However, few organizations are actively preserving significant information about these communities, leaving much of their history at risk of being lost.
Key aspects of Latino culture and history—such as fine arts, popular music, dance, folk traditions, Hispanic businesses, and community, political, social, and religious organizations—remain under-documented. Additionally, responses to critical issues like immigration, migration, discrimination, education, healthcare, law enforcement, and social services, as well as the achievements of Latino leaders and politicians at all levels, are poorly represented in historical records.
This website changes that. It is home to the first comprehensive Latino History Collections in Rhode Island, preserving and sharing the stories and contributions of these vibrant communities.
We invite you to become a part of Rhode Island’s people’s history. Whether through sharing your story or contributing artifacts, your voice is invaluable.
Contact us to learn how you can help enrich and expand this vital collection.
Latinos contribute significantly to the cultural, social, political, and economic fabric of Rhode Island, living in both urban and rural areas statewide. Within the next decade, Latinos are projected to become the largest minority population in Rhode Island. However, few organizations are actively preserving significant information about these communities, leaving much of their history at risk of being lost.
Key aspects of Latino culture and history—such as fine arts, popular music, dance, folk traditions, Hispanic businesses, and community, political, social, and religious organizations—remain under-documented. Additionally, responses to critical issues like immigration, migration, discrimination, education, healthcare, law enforcement, and social services, as well as the achievements of Latino leaders and politicians at all levels, are poorly represented in historical records.
This website changes that. It is home to the first comprehensive Latino History Collections in Rhode Island, preserving and sharing the stories and contributions of these vibrant communities.
We invite you to become a part of Rhode Island’s people’s history. Whether through sharing your story or contributing artifacts, your voice is invaluable.
Contact us to learn how you can help enrich and expand this vital collection.
The Rhode Island Latino History Collection is the official archives of Latino history in the State of Rhode Island. It was created to make public what before 1991 were unheard stories and unseen photos that have been generously shared by the people whose stories we tell.
Projects
Somos Rhode Island
Emerging Latinx Oral History Fellowship
We are pleased to invite you to an exhibition of portraits plus an installation created by the Emerging Latinx Oral History Fellows, who spent the 2023-2024 academic year with Marta V. Martínez, Community Oral Historian and Prof. David Ramírez of Rhode Island College.
Click here to read more about the exhibit ➤
Tell Us Your Story
Community Voices | Listen here and participate in the next session.
Why we tell our stories
Would you like to support the mission of Nuestras Raíces @RILA? Please consider making a donation to Rhode Island Latino Arts (RILA). Your contributions will help us maintain this website — the only one of its kind in Rhode Island that provides the most comprehensive, free, culturally relevant and educational information that features the history of Latinos in Rhode Island.
Also consider following RILA on Instagram and Nuestras Raíces on both on Facebook and Twitter, and sharing our posts with your friends. By supporting us and sharing our information, you are also helping preserve the stories of the Latino people in Rhode Island.
Also consider following RILA on Instagram and Nuestras Raíces on both on Facebook and Twitter, and sharing our posts with your friends. By supporting us and sharing our information, you are also helping preserve the stories of the Latino people in Rhode Island.
Nuestras Raíces Director | Founder & Oral Historian: Marta V. Martínez
Archives Assistant | Intern: Jacqueline Estrada
Nuestras Raíces @RILA is a member of the Oral History Association
Announcing!
We are pleased to announce that Marta V. Martínez, Executive Director of Rhode Island Latino Arts (RILA) | Director of Nuestras Raíces and Community Oral Historian will be leading Rhode Island’s first Emerging Latino/Latinx Oral Historians Fellowship Program, which seeks to train and empower the next generation of oral historians, cultural preservationists, community activists, and social justice leaders.
More details on this seven-month Fellowship will be available in Summer of 2024.
More details on this seven-month Fellowship will be available in Summer of 2024.
Historias y Café | Café Recuerdos
Broad Street & Roger Williams Park
Broad Street & Roger Williams Park
Telling Our Stories | Join the conversation
Latinx Oral History Fellows Program
