Following the 40th Doctor Martin Luther King Jr. Day this past Monday, The Wanderer and the Tri-Town Against Racism discussed the organization’s upcoming events and goals for the first half of this year.
We spoke with Rhonda Baptiste, vice president of TTAR. Baptiste explained the organization’s mission is the same as it was when it began: “to create an anti-racist environment in the Tri-Town.” TTAR was founded in early 2020, just before the murder of George Floyd. She said, “It was created by a group of moms whose children, whose families were experiencing some pretty horrific things in the community. Not just at school.” She went on, referring to shared experiences among many in the community. “It can be very isolating when you think you’re the only one or your kid thinks they’re the only one experiencing this.” She stated their goal was to bring together those who have been through said experiences. “It’s a way to network, support, and come together.”
One of the organization’s first initiatives was the Little Free Diverse Libraries, with the group committing to the national Read in Color initiative. The focus of that project is highlighted by TTAR. According to the organization’s website, “less than 25% of children’s books depict non-white characters. We believe everyone should be able to see themselves in the pages of a book.” There is currently one of these Little Free Diverse Libraries in each of the Tri-Town’s three municipalities.
Speaking on personal experiences, Baptiste said, “my kid could never find books at his library in his elementary school in Rochester where the characters looked like him, or the families looked like ours.” At that time, separate from the Little Libraries, Baptiste’s son Kelsey Robertson raised almost $3,000 to buy books for the library “so that kids would have representation,” she said, adding, “if someone thinks it’s not important, it probably means they’re pretty well represented in media.” Robertson, only 10 years old at the time, was recognized with The Wanderer’s 2020 Keel Award for the Town of Rochester.
In recent events, TTAR on January 20 closed submissions for their 2026 Black History Month Creative Expressions Contest. Submitted artwork was by junior high and high school students and will be showcased in Mattapoisett Library’s Community Room throughout the month of February, which is Black History Month. Winners and cash prizes will be announced at the event reception on Saturday, February 7 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm.
In the coming months, Baptiste mentioned story walks in Mattapoisett and Marion that are in the works for February. Also in February, TTAR will host story hours in Marion and Rochester. There will be a larger community event in April, though she didn’t share the exact details on that as of yet. April will also see the organization launch a new art series, where participants will learn of notable historical figures through crafting activities like quilting.
Baptiste moved on to announce the big summer event, which will be held on Juneteenth. It will likely, as was the case with previous years, be held at the Little Free Diverse Library near Ned’s Point in Mattapoisett. There will be traditional Juneteenth snacks like red velvet cupcakes, rhubarb pie, and strawberry soda. There will be games, books, discussion, and a keynote speaker. Juneteenth celebrates June 19, 1865, the day the last American slaves were liberated in Galveston, Texas.
Aside from events, Baptiste also spoke on a newly launched scholarship fund for the late Lisa Regan Durr. Durr was a regular volunteer to Mattapoisett, with TTAR saying she played an “instrumental role in the early formation of TTAR.” Last year, they established the Lisa Regan Durr Scholarship Fund to honor Durr’s memory and to award funds to “a student of color attending school in the Tri-Town who embodies the values she championed such as her passion for volunteerism.”
Baptiste also said TTAR is looking for a college student who may be interested in partnering with the organization, primarily for work on their social media platforms/outreach and would serve as an intern. Any interested party can reach out on the organization’s website at tritownagainstracism.org or send an email to info@tritownagainstracism.org.
A Talk with Tri-Town Against Racism
By Sam Bishop