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. *
* Please note: A speaker fee applies to these presentations.
To inquire or schedule a session, send an E-Mail directly to Marta V. Martínez.
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. *
* Please note: A speaker fee applies to these presentations.
To inquire or schedule a session, send an E-Mail directly to Marta V. Martínez.
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 by sharing your story.
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 by sharing your story.
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
Somos Rhode Island is an exhibition of portraits that was originally installed 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.
The exhibit is currently on display at La Galería del Pueblo, 209 Central St. Central Falls 02863. Lesson plans for educators are available upon request.
The exhibit is currently on display at La Galería del Pueblo, 209 Central St. Central Falls 02863. Lesson plans for educators are available upon request.
Click here to read more about the exhibit and to see the gallery hours ➤
Tell Us Your Story
Community Voices | Listen here and participate in the next session.
Who’s on this website?
The stories you’ll find in this website come from conversations I have had in person since 1992 with Latinos across Rhode Island. One of my interns may have discovered or suggested someone, and I sent them out to conduct their own interview. Narrators (those who told us their story) sat with us, often at their kitchen tables or in their living rooms and shared their memories. Many pulled out photographs and personal keepsakes. Once they understood the importance of this project, they might have allowed me to borrow photographs or donated something knowing that by doing that, their stories could be preserved in our archive, to be remembered by future generations.
What you see or hear in this website are stories of people (narrators) who built lives in Rhode Island and, in many ways, helped build the Latino community we know today. They came from different parts of Latin America and the Caribbean, bringing their language and customs. One common theme I found is that everyone never let go of their hopes for something better. They opened businesses, raised families, organized, created spaces for culture and belonging, and helped shape the social and civic life of this state in ways that are too often overlooked.
What you’ll read here is not a complete history of every Latino family in Rhode Island. It is a growing collection of stories shared by those I was able to meet. Some reached out and others were introduced to me. Some names may be missing simply because our paths have not yet crossed and a few have busy lives and we both feel that one day we will sit down. A large number of individuals are elders who have passed or in that stage of life when they are forgetting, and it is this generation whose stories I am most interested in recording.
Please know that this project remains open. Nuestras Raíces has always been a living archive—one that continues to grow as more people choose to add their voice. If you or someone in your family has a story to share, I invite you to reach out. Our history is still being written, and there is always room for more of it here.
What you see or hear in this website are stories of people (narrators) who built lives in Rhode Island and, in many ways, helped build the Latino community we know today. They came from different parts of Latin America and the Caribbean, bringing their language and customs. One common theme I found is that everyone never let go of their hopes for something better. They opened businesses, raised families, organized, created spaces for culture and belonging, and helped shape the social and civic life of this state in ways that are too often overlooked.
What you’ll read here is not a complete history of every Latino family in Rhode Island. It is a growing collection of stories shared by those I was able to meet. Some reached out and others were introduced to me. Some names may be missing simply because our paths have not yet crossed and a few have busy lives and we both feel that one day we will sit down. A large number of individuals are elders who have passed or in that stage of life when they are forgetting, and it is this generation whose stories I am most interested in recording.
Please know that this project remains open. Nuestras Raíces has always been a living archive—one that continues to grow as more people choose to add their voice. If you or someone in your family has a story to share, I invite you to reach out. Our history is still being written, and there is always room for more of it here.
Marta V. Martínez
Founder & Community Oral Historian
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/or Facebook and sharing our posts with your followers. 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/or Facebook and sharing our posts with your followers. 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
