The 1st Rhode Island Regiment was a predominately Black military unit of free and enslaved Blacks who fought for America’s concept of “independence” during the American Revolutionary War (1775-1783). When we learn about America’s independence, it’s always about the Founding Fathers. Rarely are the stories of Black Americans’ contributions told. This tee highlights the soldiers who not only fought for America’s freedom from the British but also their fight for freedom from American slavery.

This illustrated graphic by Elijah Justice is screen printed on heavyweight and durable 6oz, 100% cotton. The shirt is unisex, with a regular boxy fit, and has been preshrunk to reduce shrinkage.

Model is wearing size L for an oversized fit and is 5’8” tall. His true size in this tee is a Medium.

A portion of this tee’s profit will be donated to my friend Kent Harris’ Juneteenth Community Fundraiser. She celebrated her birthday on Juneteenth and decided that the greatest gift she could receive is help raising $1865 (the year the last slaves finally learned of their freedom) to split donations between two Black community spaces in Columbus, Ohio. These organizations are Zora’s House (a coworking and community space in central Ohio catering specifically to women of color and equipping them with the clarity, confidence, and community they need to live their best lives and do their best work) and Maroon Arts Group (an org who strives to develop and provide a platform for conscious art centered around the preservation and promotion of cultures of African descent.)