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

Fri Oct 03 2025 at 06:00 pm to 07:30 pm UTC-04:00

First Unitarian Church of Providence | Providence

Providence Preservation Society
Publisher/HostProvidence Preservation Society
Entangled Histories: The Nightingales of Providence & the Legacy of Slavery
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

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

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

Tickets

USD 0.00 to USD 17.85

Sharing is Caring:

More Events in Providence

Disney's The Little Mermaid - A Heavenly Gingers Fundraiser
Thu, 02 Oct at 07:00 pm Disney's The Little Mermaid - A Heavenly Gingers Fundraiser

James and Gloria Maron Cultural Arts Center

Narragansett Brewery: Oktoberfest 2025
Fri, 03 Oct at 12:00 pm Narragansett Brewery: Oktoberfest 2025

Narragansett Beer

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

East Providence High School

A new chapter
Fri, 03 Oct at 05:00 pm A new chapter

195 District Park

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

Reserve on Dorrance

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

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

Brown Stadium

Highwater Haulers
Fri, 03 Oct at 07:00 pm Highwater Haulers

Fete Lounge

Gasolina Reggaet\u00f3n Party
Fri, 03 Oct at 09:00 pm Gasolina Reggaetón Party

79 Washington St , Providence, RI, United States, Rhode Island 02903

Brown University Bears Football vs. Rhode Island Rams Football
Sat, 04 Oct at 12:00 am Brown University Bears Football vs. Rhode Island Rams Football

Brown Stadium - RI

Providence is Happening!

Never miss your favorite happenings again!

Explore Providence Events