The Anchor of the Soul: Tales of African American Rhode Island

Freedom! The word resonated like a bell in Scipio's head. He had never even thought about freedom before, but now, he suddenly craved it, ached for it. As he drifted off to sleep, Scipio knew in his heart that after the day's astounding events, he would never be the same again.

From the true tale of an 80-year-old ex-slave's return to Africa, to the story of a once-legendary figure on the Providence waterfront, and the epoch-changing experiences of African American "Buffalo Soldiers" in World War I, this unique collection of historical fiction unearths little-known stories from the earliest days of Rhode Island's history to its present. Like links in a chain, twelve intertwining stories recall a past that remains a living fact in our lives. Drawing on a dark, true history, The Anchor of the Soul brings to life tales of courage, endurance, and inspiration. Hope is the anchor of the soul.

From the cobbled streets of colonial Newport to the modern-day struggle for equality, discover a sweeping saga of resilience, identity, and a steadfast assertion of belonging.

In the tradition of Yaa Gyasi's Homegoing and Edward P. Jones's The Known World, this powerful work of African American historical fiction weaves together a tapestry of stories inspired by real events spanning four centuries. Set against the unique backdrop of Rhode Island, it uncovers a hidden history of the North-tracing a line from slavery and segregation to second-class citizenship today.

Embark on a journey through the eyes of people who shaped a small state and a great nation:

• • The Stranger (1652): A White Newport minister confronts the ultimate moral question-whether a newly-arrived enslaved African is a man with a soul.
  • The Testament of Okyerema Mireku (1826): A memoir of 80-year-old ex-slave, better remembered as Newport Gardner, written as his voyage back to Africa nears its destination.
  • Black Tom (1857): The story of Thomas Howland, a legendary figure on the Providence waterfront, fighting for dignity in a world that tries to deny it to him.
  • The King of Snow Town (1876): A petty thief and local hero navigates the harsh existence of an urban ghetto, proving that survival is its own form of brilliance.
  • Buffaloes (WWI): Chronicling the experience of Buffalo Soldiers who fought for democracy abroad while laboring under Jim Crow segregation at home.

This profound exploration of the American Dream deferred will resonate with readers of literary fiction and multi-generational sagas. These interconnected lives reveal that while the challenges of different times may change, the spirit of a people remains indomitable.