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2/22/2021 MEDIA ADVISORY: Senate to hold Black History Month celebration during Senate session tomorrow
STATE HOUSE – The Rhode Island Senate will be celebrating Black History Month tomorrow, February 23 at 4 p.m. during the Senate session in Sapinsley Hall at Rhode Island College.  Sen. Tiara Mack (D-Dist. 6, Providence) will serve as the master of ceremonies and the celebration will feature Sidy as the musical performance and Jaychele Schenk as the keynote speaker.

Sidy is an accomplished drummer and graduate of the Berklee College of Music.  He is originally from Bamako Mali and travels the world drumming. Sidy and his band Afrimanding have performed at the United Nations, international music festivals and in Burnside Park during the PVD fest. He brings a fusion of traditional drumming from West African to hip-hop and Caribbean drumming.

Jaychele Schenk is a 16 year old student activist. She is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of the national youth organization "Gen Z: We Want To Live.” She has been involved in social justice work for over three years. She has spoken at rallies, met with government officials, and testified at the State House. She has started five businesses and organizations. She has been a part of organizations such as Young Voices, Sunrise Providence, Zero Hour, Planned Parenthood, March for Our Lives, Rhode Island Coalition Against Gun Violence, and many others. She has been featured in over 15 newspaper and television reports.

The senate will also be considering the following bills:
  • 2021-S 0014A, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Michael J. McCaffrey (D-Dist. 29, Warwick), would allow the governor to designate any person, upon application, 18 years old or older, to solemnize a marriage within the state of Rhode Island on a particular day and within a particular city or town.
  • 2021-S 0004A, sponsored by Sen. Joshua Miller (D-Dist. 28, Cranston, Pawtucket), would amend the provisions of the telemedicine coverage act and provide coverage for telemedicine under Rhode Island Medicaid.
  • 2021-S 0016A, sponsored by Senator Miller, would create a pilot program to establish harm reduction centers as facilities wherein persons may use pre-obtained controlled substances under the supervision of health care professionals.
The meeting will be streamed live online through Capitol Television and can be found here: http://www.rilegislature.gov/CapTV/Pages/default.aspx.



For more information, contact:
Greg Pare, Director of Communications for the Senate
State House Room 112
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 276-5558