Music Empowerment Non-Profit, Girls Rock! Rhode Island Announces New, Trans-Inclusive Name: RIOT RI

Providence, RI (January 17, 2020) - After 10 years of saying the phrase “we’re not just for girls, and we don’t just rock”, the organization formerly known as Girls Rock! Rhode Island has taken the leap to change its name and brand identity. Starting on January 1st, 2020, the organization has officially changed its name to RIOT RI.

In its mission, RIOT RI makes a commitment to help foster the development of healthy identities of girls, women, trans and non-binary individuals. As the number of LGBTQ participants has risen over the course of the past decade in the organization’s programming, it became apparent to staff and board alike that the very name under which the organization functioned was no longer empowering to LGBTQ participants, staff, and volunteers.

“When the name ‘Girls Rock! RI’ was originally imagined 10 years ago, the word “girl” carried very different connotations than it does now,” explains Rikki Davis, Co-Executive Director of RIOT RI. “ When the organization was formed in 2009, the Riot Grrrl movement of the 1990s and early aughts still carried weight in the cultural zeitgeist as a relic of inclusive, underground feminism in the music scene. As language has evolved and expanded over the past decade, that word “Girl” as it appeared in our name began to mean something very different.”

According to Davis, 40% of RIOT RI’s volunteers identify as LGBTQ. Based on evaluation data, more than 23% of high school participants identify as LGBTQ as well, three times the national average of 8%. With the support of the Equity Action Grant, through the Rhode Island Foundation, RIOT RI has overhauled it’s brand identity to reflect the identities of its existing and future participants.

But perhaps most importantly, the mission of RIOT RI has remained consistent. “Our goal is to provide people who have faced gender-based oppression a safe, non-judgemental place to express themselves and get loud, regardless of their ability to play or pay” explains Denise Mathews-Riedpath, the other co-Executive Director at RIOT RI. Need-based scholarships are available on a first-come first-served basis for all RIOT RI programs. In fact, two-thirds of RIOT RI participants receive scholarships to attend.

Upcoming at RIOT RI is Adult Rock Camp from March 13th-15th, for women, trans, and non-binary participants 18 and over (previously called Ladies Rock Camp). Camp will be held this year at JamStage in Pawtucket, RI. At Adult Rock Camp, campers learn to play an instrument (drums, vocals, bass, guitar, or keyboard), form a band, write an original song, and perform it live in front of friends and family. In addition to music activities, campers also have the opportunity to participate in workshops like Finding Time for Art and Music in a Busy Life, Being an Accomplice Not An Ally, Songwriting, and Screen-Printing. Plus, at meal time every day, there are live performances from local bands representing female, trans, and nonbinary musicians with built in Q&A time. All in only three days!

Individuals who take part in this program come from all walks of life and include students, professionals, and stay-at-home moms, among many others. Participants attend for a whole range of reasons, including the opportunity to learn a new skill, meet like-minded friends, set a powerful example for their children, and prove to themselves and others that it’s never too late to rock.

Anyone interested in learning more about the name-change, or participating in Adult Rock Camp can find RIOT RI at www.GirlsRockRI.org. The website will remain GirlsRockRI.org until it switches to RIOTRI.org in April 2020. For any questions about registration, email denise@girlsrockri.org or rikki@girlsrockri.org

About RIOT RI:
RIOT RI is a non-profit that uses music creation and critical thinking to foster empowerment, collaborative relationships, and the development of healthy identities in girls, women, trans, and nonbinary individuals.