In 2003, President Ruth Simmons appointed a special committee to explore Brown’s historical relationship to slavery and the slave trade. The Steering Committee on Slavery and Justice devoted three years to this task, uncovering, documenting, and discussing Brown’s history in this area. The committee also sponsored many events that helped Brown and the Providence community reflect on this history, as well as the national debate about reparations for slavery.

The committee’s final report, which can be downloaded here, details how many of Brown’s founders and benefactors participated in slavery and the transatlantic slave trade. It also acknowledges the benefits the University derived from these activities. The report includes a set of recommendations by which Brown could publicly acknowledge this history and promote ongoing consideration of issues related to slavery and justice.

The University has moved forward with many Steering Committee recommendations, including the creation of an institute to study issues of human rights, justice, and freedom. Beginning this year, Brown’s new Center for the Study of Slavery and Justice will develop and support academic study and programs on slavery in North America, and link this scholarship with sustained inquiry into questions of justice. Professor B. Anthony Bogues was named the Center’s inaugural director this past May.

The Steering Committee also recommended that Brown explore ways to memorialize Rhode Island’s involvement in the slave trade. The memorial would shed continuous light on this history, thus encouraging ongoing reflection and discussion about the impact of slavery in Rhode Island. Acclaimed American artist Martin Puryear has been commissioned to create the memorial, which will be placed on the Front Campus, also known as the “quiet Green,” near University Hall.