Money flows and asset ownership may not be the first things that come to mind when you think about Rhode Island’s history, but they have had major, long-term implications for our communities — making some people and places more prosperous and resilient and others less so.
On May 5, 2026, Local Return hosted an important presentation on wealth in Rhode Island featuring conversationalists Taino Palermo, Seth Rockman, Lorén Spears, and Keith Stokes.
The four discussed questions like: How was wealth generated locally? Who benefited from this wealth generation, and who was hurt by it? What is the interplay between wealth, the economy, and culture in Rhode Island? What choices are we making today that will shape lives and opportunities for future generations? This event was made possible with the generous support of the Rhode Island Semiquincentennial Commission (RI250).
