Join us for RWP Pops!
The Rhode Island Foundation joins Providence Mayor Brett Smiley and Citizens in inviting the public to a free performance of the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra’s Summer Pops in the Park concert at the Temple to Music in Roger Williams Park on Wednesday, July 31, beginning at 7:30 p.m.
“Together with our partners, we are inviting Rhode Islanders to what has become an annual tradition for thousands of people,” said David N. Cicilline, the Foundation’s president and CEO. “Community is at the heart of our work. Community begins where people come together to share experiences. There is no better spot to promote the importance of community than in one of Rhode Island’s most beloved places.”
Conducted by Troy Quinn, the 66-piece orchestra will play a 90-minute set. In addition to the concert, food trucks will be onsite at the Temple to Music serving local, regional, and global cuisine.
During intermission, the Foundation will present three of its most prestigious annual awards on the stage of the Temple to Music:
Community Leadership Award – Amos House
Honoring an individual or nonprofit demonstrating innovation, impact, commitment, and leadership in one of the Foundation’s priority areas.
For nearly 50 years, Amos House has been a staple of the Rhode Island nonprofit community – serving those experiencing homelessness, unemployment, and poverty by keeping community at the center of their work. Last year, Amos House served over 150,000 meals in their soup kitchen to those in need. The organization also offers recovery housing, permanent supportive housing, reunification services, emergency assistance, and job training to those in need.
Civic Leadership Award – Mrs. Victoria Johnson
Honoring a public servant or other civic leader who exemplifies the ability to create a stronger, more vibrant community where all voices are heard, and collaboration is key to solving important issues and seizing emerging opportunity.
Mrs. Victoria Johnson, a native Newporter, was the first African American female principal of a high school in Rhode Island, at Rogers High in Newport.
She is a member of the founding committee and steering committee for the Newport Middle Passage Ceremony and Port Marker Project. She also co-chaired the committee to establish the group’s 501(c)(3) status.
Mrs. Johnson had a distinguished career in teaching, coaching, and educational administration that included becoming the first female African American principal of a secondary school in Rhode Island. She is active in the Newport Historical Society, Governor’s Board for the Bank of Newport, Newport Women’s League, National Association of Colored Women’s Clubs, Newport Hospital Board of Directors, Newport “Rec” Reunion Committee, and Newport County NAACP. She also participates on scholarship committees, as a volunteer, with the Rhode Island Foundation so that worthy and qualified students may have financial aid to attend college.
The Trailblazer Award – Dr. Eugenio Fernandez, Asthenis Pharmacy
Honoring an individual or entity who utilizes resources in creative and innovative ways and who is disrupting the status quo for the common good.
Asthenis Pharmacy was founded by Eugenio Fernandez, Jr., a graduate of the University of Rhode Island and Harvard University who grew up on Hanover Street in Providence, and attended Asa Messer, Bridgham, and Classical High School.
Eugenio was inspired to start Asthenis to help close health equity gaps by focusing solely on patient needs – something he believes sets Asthenis apart from a traditional health care system approach.
Asthenis helps mitigate gaps in health equity by providing access to health information and pharmacy pickup services to a community where there is currently a vacuum for such services. Additionally, Asthenis teams up with local nonprofit organizations to help organize activities centered on providing the community access to health education. Its vision is to be the community’s source for reliable health information, with a belief that people like to take care of themselves; they just need access to reliable health information so they can make the right decisions for themselves.
The Foundation and Citizens are presenting sponsors of this free community event with support from the Providence Department of Art, Culture and Tourism; the Providence Tourism Council, the Roger Williams Park Conservancy, and the Providence Parks Department. Click here for more details.
