The 11th Island: How Cape Verdean Culture Shaped Providence’s Fox Point
For many Americans, the historic run of Cape Verde’s men’s national soccer team to the World Cup knockout stage was their introduction to this vibrant African island nation. But for those living in Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts, Cape Verdean culture is woven tightly into the fabric of our daily lives.
Affectionately referred to as the “11th Island,” the cities of Providence, Brockton, and New Bedford hold the largest concentration of Cape Verdeans outside of the archipelago itself.
The influence is impossible to miss. Just last week, over 7,000 passionate fans clad in blue, red, and gold packed the PVD FanZone in downtown Providence to watch Cape Verde’s historic draw against European soccer powerhouse Spain. The energy carried right into the July 5th Cape Verdean Independence Day celebrations, which had just as much fanfare, fireworks, and incredible food as the U.S. 250th anniversary the day before.
If you take a stroll through Providence's historic Fox Point neighborhood, you can't walk two blocks without seeing the Cape Verdean flag flying proudly. But how did this unique connection between West Africa and Rhode Island begin?
The History of Cape Verdean Immigration to New England
The story of Cape Verdean immigration to Southeastern New England began in the mid-19th century. Facing severe droughts on the islands and looking for economic opportunities, many Cape Verdean men took jobs as crewmen aboard American whaling ships patrolling the North Atlantic.
Eventually, many of these sailors settled permanently near the bustling docks of Fox Point in Providence, Rhode Island. The neighborhood offered plentiful jobs, not just at sea, but as longshoremen and laborers in Providence’s booming industrial factories.
On the rocky shores of Rhode Island, these early immigrants established a thriving community, building:
Churches and community centers that preserved their heritage.
Local grocers introducing traditional flavors like cachupa (a slow-cooked stew of corn, beans, and meat).
Schools and social clubs that fostered a tight-knit network for generations to come.
While the whaling and manufacturing industries have faded into history, the Cape Verdean footprint in Providence’s Fox Point remains indelible.
Remembering Johnny Britto: The Heart of Fox Point
Much of Fox Point's modern history was shaped by the descendants of those early maritime immigrants. One name in particular is etched permanently into local lore: Johnny Britto.
A first-generation Cape Verdean-American, Johnny spent nearly his entire life in Fox Point. His life story reads like a movie: he served in the Korean War, worked as a longshoreman, played basketball for the Harlem Globetrotters, and played minor-league baseball in the New York Yankees farm system.
But his most lasting legacy was his dedication to Providence youth & his local community. Known affectionately as "Mr. Fox Point," Johnny founded the local Boys & Girls Club and directed the Fox Point Drop-In Center, creating a safe, community-driven pillar for neighborhood kids to learn leadership and sportsmanship.
Johnny was so beloved that his son, Rhode Island State Senator Robert Britto, recalls that walking the one-mile stretch of Wickenden Street with his father would easily take over three hours—simply because every single neighbor stopped to chat.
Discover Providence’s History and Food in Fox Point
Today, you can see a beautiful tribute to Johnny Britto and the neighborhood's rich heritage on the "Greetings from Fox Point" mural, located on Trenton Street on the outside of the historic Boys & Girls Club building.
This vibrant mural also happens to be a key stop on our Mostly Accurate Providence International Flavors Tour. If you’re looking for unique things to do in Providence, join us as we dive deep into the immigrant stories that shaped Rhode Island’s capital—and savor the incredible international culinary traditions they brought with them.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fox Point & Cape Verdean History
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The "11th Island" is a cultural nickname for the large population of Cape Verdean immigrants and their descendants living in New England—specifically in Providence, RI, and New Bedford and Brockton, MA. It signifies that this region is an extension of the 10 geographic islands that make up the country of Cape Verde.
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In the 19th century, Cape Verdeans initially came to Rhode Island and Massachusetts to work on American whaling ships. They settled in coastal neighborhoods like Fox Point, Providence, due to the abundance of maritime, longshoreman, and industrial factory jobs.
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Key historical sites in Fox Point include Wickenden Street, the historic waterfront docks, and the "Greetings from Fox Point" mural on Trenton Street, which honors the neighborhood's Cape Verdean roots and community leader Johnny Britto.