CJ Martin, author of “The Precious Birthright: Black Leaders and the Fight to Vote in Antebellum Rhode Island” will visit the library to talk about his book.

This compelling work delves into the courageous efforts of Black leaders who fought tirelessly for the right to vote during a pivotal era in American history. Through meticulous research and vivid storytelling, CJ Martin brings to life the struggles and triumphs of these unsung heroes.

In 1842, Black Rhode Islanders secured a stunning victory rarely seen in antebellum America: they won the right to vote. Amid heightened public discourse around shifting ideas of race, citizenship, and political rights, they methodically deconstructed the arguments against their enfranchisement and chose the perfect moments in which to act forcefully. At the head of this movement was a cohort of prominent business and community members that formed an early example of a Black leadership class in the US.

Copies of the book will be available for purchase and signing. Please register below to reserve your spot.