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R.I. Black Business Association partners with URI to grow ‘Emerging Leaders’ in state

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R.I. Black Business Association partners with URI to grow ‘Emerging Leaders’ in state


KINGSTON, R.I. – Oct. 9, 2024 – The Rhode Island Black Business Association (RIBBA), a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating the racial wealth gap in Rhode Island, has announced the start of its highly anticipated Emerging Leaders Development Program for fall 2024, in partnership with the University of Rhode Island and the Rhode Island Department of Labor & Training.

The program, now in its fourth year, is relying on a partnership with URI to advance the program while counting URI alumni in its ranks. The program will develop and advance the careers of young professionals already in the workforce, at businesses across the state, ranging from Amica and Blue Cross Blue Shield to Tides Family Services and Washington Trust, representing a range of fields and industries. The seven-month program is designed to empower mid- to senior-level participants living or working in Rhode Island with skills and knowledge to advance their careers.

The R.I. Black Business Association celebrated this year’s fall cohort at a recent kickoff for its 2024 Emerging Leaders. The program, now in its fourth year, has partnered with URI to elevate its impact.

The 30 professionals selected for this year’s cohort hail from diverse communities throughout Southern New England, including Providence, Cranston, Woonsocket, Lincoln, Central Falls, as well as Attleboro and Malden, Massachusetts.

This year’s program will take place at RIBBA’s new equity hub headquarters on Smith Hill in Providence. With funding from the Rhode Island Department of Labor & Training, Real Jobs Initiative, the program is offered at no cost. Emerging Leader candidates must have at least five years of experience in their profession and hold a mid-level leadership or executive position in Rhode Island to apply for the program.

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This year’s cohort, launching this October, includes URI alumni working at organizations across the state. They’ll each receive a comprehensive blueprint to accelerate their career, expand leadership and gain greater responsibility and influence within their respective industries.

Elexsis Cunningham ’13 is excited to join. A housing manager at Crossroads Rhode Island, she says she wanted to join to become a better leader: “In high school I never thought I would come this far. I didn’t even want to go to college. Here it is several years later and I have my degree and am in a management role. I’m ready to accomplish much more.”

Kaitlin (Jarvis) Carver ’11, a clinical manager at Blue Cross Blue Shield, adds, “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to participate in the Emerging Leaders Development Program offered by RIBBA. I believe this program is going to help me unlock another door on my journey as a woman leader. I’m excited to learn new perspectives and angles that I can apply in my current and future roles.”

URI boost

Now in its fourth year, Emerging Leaders has established itself as a pioneer program for career advancement in Rhode Island. RIBBA staff say they have partnered with URI’s Office of Strategic Initiatives to elevate the program’s impact.

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“This program is essential for empowering a new generation of leaders in Rhode Island’s diverse community,” says Lisa Ranglin, president and CEO of RIBBA. “With the support of our partners, we are empowering them to break through barriers and become dynamic, impactful leaders in the state.”

“The challenges and opportunities facing the Rhode Island economy demand diverse leaders,” says John Olerio, executive director of URI’s Office of Strategic Initiatives. “The University of Rhode Island is thrilled to partner with RIBBA to empower these emerging changemakers with the dynamic leadership skills and strategies they will need to drive innovation and equitable economic growth across industries and communities.”

URI’s office of Strategic Initiatives, housed in Edwards Hall, connects innovation, creativity, and experimentation found at Rhode Island’s flagship research university to the Rhode Island business community and regional workforce. To learn more, visit here.

Learn more about the Emerging Leaders program.

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Married couple from R.I. identified as victims in fatal Swansea crash

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Married couple from R.I. identified as victims in fatal Swansea crash


Local News

The two victims were identified as a husband and wife from Rhode Island, local officials said.

A Rhode Island husband and wife in their 50s were identified as the two people killed in a Swansea car crash Friday night.

Carlolyn Carcasi, 54, and James Carcasi, 53, of Bristol, Rhode Island, were killed in the Feb. 27 crash, the office of Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn said in a press release Monday.

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The crash occurred at the intersection of Route 136 and Route 6 in Swansea, Quinn’s office said.

Police in Cranston, Rhode Island identified the driver who allegedly hit the couple as Demitri Sousa, 28. Sousa allegedly shot and killed a man in Rhode Island nearly four hours before the crash, Cranston police said.

At around 12:18 a.m. Friday, Swansea police spotted Sousa’s Infiniti barreling down Route 6, Swansea officials said previously.

The couple was driving southbound on Route 136 when the Sousa crashed into the side of a Subaru Ascent. Both cars had “catastrophic damage,” and the Subaru was engulfed in flames, Swansea fire and police officials said. 

Both occupants of the Subaru were declared dead at the scene, Swansea officials said.

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Sousa was transported to a local hospital, where he is being treated for serious injuries. He is expected to live and will be held in Cranston police custody until he is medically cleared, police said Sunday.

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Women’s Fund of Rhode Island, leaders celebrate Women’s History Month with panel event

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Women’s Fund of Rhode Island, leaders celebrate Women’s History Month with panel event


Women’s Fund of Rhode Island and U.S. Sen. Jack Reed celebrated Women’s History Month in Cranston with a panel discussion on Monday.

The event was held at the Cranston Public Library at 9 a.m.

Reed and other leaders of WFRI hosted a panel discussion with women leaders in environmental and agricultural advocacy, education, community resilience, housing, finance, workforce development, and more, officials said.

Women’s Fund of Rhode Island and U.S. Sen. Jack Reed celebrated Women’s History Month in Cranston with a panel discussion on Monday. (WJAR)

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“Women have played a critical role in this process, most often without any recognition,” Reed said. “Today’s panel brings together an extraordinary group of women who are addressing the challenged of sustainability from various angles and I want to thank you all for your great efforts.”

The panelists highlighted their experiences, shared insights and tips on lifting up women’s voices, provided strategies for sparking change and more.

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According to officials, some of the panelists included Executive Director of the Rhode Island Food Policy Council Nessa Richman, Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives at Rhode Island College Kim Bright, Newport Housing Authority Executive Director Rhonda Mitchell and more.

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Man allegedly kills man in R.I. before causing car crash that killed 2 in Mass.

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Man allegedly kills man in R.I. before causing car crash that killed 2 in Mass.


Local News

“On behalf of the Cranston Police Department, I want to extend my deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Javon Lawson and the two individuals who were killed in the crash in Swansea,” Col. Michael J. Winquist said.

A Seekonk man is accused of murder after he allegedly shot and killed a man in Rhode Island before causing a car crash in Swansea that killed two people last week, police said.  

Demitri Sousa, 28, is charged with murder, using a firearm while committing a crime of violence, and carrying a pistol without a license, the Cranston Police Department said.

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The shooting occurred Thursday night in Cranston, police said in a press release.

That night, Sousa allegedly arrived at the Cranston home of Javon Lawson, 35. Sousa began banging on the side door of the home, police said. 

When Lawson approached the door, he was hit by gunfire from outside, police said.

First responders transported Lawson to the Rhode Island Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, Cranston police said.

“Based on the preliminary investigation, the motive is believed to be a dispute between the suspect and the victim over a mutual female acquaintance. Detectives are continuing this investigation to gain more insight, as well as to collect and analyze evidence,” Colonel Michael Winquist, Chief of Cranston police, said in an emailed statement to Boston.com.

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Neighbors gave police video footage that “showed a male subject wearing dark clothing and a mask walking toward the residence moments before the shooting and fleeing immediately afterward,” Winquist said.

The suspect was also seen running to a white Infiniti sedan which then drove off, the Cranston police chief said.

Shortly after the shooting, a license plate reader captured the vehicle driving southbound on Route 10, and then later in Fall River and Westport, Massachusetts. The sedan’s license plate was registered in Sousa’s name, Winquist said.

At around 12:18 a.m. Friday, Swansea police spotted Sousa’s Infiniti barreling down Route 6, Swansea officials said.

Just moments later, Sousa allegedly “crashed into the side of another vehicle, a blue 2022 Subaru Ascent that had been traveling southbound on Route 136,” Swansea Police Chief Mark Foley and Fire Chief Eric Hajder said in a joint press release.

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Both vehicles had “catastrophic damage,” and the struck car was engulfed in flames, the Swansea officials said.

The driver and passenger of the hit car — a man and a woman — were declared dead at the scene, they said.

“Swansea Police had been alerted to be on the lookout for the suspect vehicle. However, Swansea Police were not involved in the pursuit and were not pursuing the vehicle at the time of the crash,” the Swansea chiefs wrote. Swansea official have not announced charges related to the fatal crash.

Sousa had been driving the Infiniti and appeared to be suffering from serious injuries, Winquist said. Inside the car, police found a pistol and “additional .22 caliber ammunition was recovered” from Sousa at Rhode Island Hospital, Winquist said.

Police arrested Sousa and transported him to Rhode Island Hospital. Sousa is expected to survive, Winquist said. Sousa will be held in Cranston police custody until he is conscious and medically cleared, Winquist said.

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“On behalf of the Cranston Police Department, I want to extend my deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Javon Lawson and the two individuals who were killed in the crash in Swansea,” Winquist said.

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