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The International African American Museum Tells Full Story of Trauma and Triumph
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After two decades of fundraising, planning and construction, the International African American Museum (IAAM) opened its doors on June 24 on the hallowed grounds of one of the nation’s most sacred sites.Countless visitors arrive in Charleston, South Carolina, every day – eager to experience a city that is world-renowned for its history, culture and charm.
Along the Battery, tourists ride horse-drawn carriages past a line of colorful houses famously known as Rainbow Row. Tourists and locals recognize their pastel facades as an enduring symbol of southern hospitality. Historical markers punctuate the streetscape, offering a brief glimpse into the Holy City’s storied past.
But just below the surface of a picturesque harbor, a more inclusive history was waiting to be told.
Rising like a reckoning tide above the sacred site formerly known as Gadsden’s Wharf, a painful chapter of Charleston’s history has emerged.
After two decades of fundraising, planning and construction, the International African American Museum (IAAM) opened its doors on June 24 on the hallowed grounds of one of the nation’s most sacred sites. More than 40% of all enslaved Africans landed at Gadsden’s Wharf, making it the single largest point of entry for the Transatlantic Slave Trade in North America.
IAAM President and CEO Dr. Tonya M. Matthews set the tone for the momentous grand opening ceremony.
“We are here today at this hallowed site to reclaim a piece of Gadsden’s Wharf and reimagine it as a space to tell one of the greatest stories of human struggle and triumph of all time,” Matthews said.
"If we can utilize history to bring people together for a common cause, in order to promote diversity, equity and inclusion, then that's a good thing for everyone."
-Keller Kissam, President of Dominion Energy South Carolina
Recognized as a founding donor, the Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation’s gift of $2.5 million in 2019 helped to move the project toward construction. It was one of the largest single donations to a nonprofit in the company's history.
“It's important for Dominion Energy to contribute to our communities, which are becoming more and more diverse,” said Keller Kissam, president of Dominion Energy South Carolina. “If we can utilize history to bring people together for a common cause, in order to promote diversity, equity and inclusion, then that's a good thing for everyone.”
Dominion Energy also provided approximately 1,000 charter memberships to the museum for individuals and families served by the Charleston Promise Neighborhood, which provides educational programming to underserved students.
Hundreds of invited guests joined U.S. Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C., former Charleston Mayor Joseph P. Riley and a host of local and national leaders at the highly anticipated event.
Esteemed actress and activist Phylicia Rashad served as the mistress of ceremonies. Acclaimed gospel and R&B recording artist Bebe Winans performed a stirring rendition of the national anthem. Former President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama provided a pre-recorded message of hope and support.
The 46,000-square-foot museum features a broad range of historical and cultural exhibits that contrast the atrocities of slavery with the contributions of Africans and African Americans around the world.
“I was born and raised in South Carolina, and my grandfather was an activist in the civil rights movement,” said Jim Stuckey, vice president of legal for Dominion Energy. “So being able to go to a museum that speaks to that history and tells the wonderful story of activism and liberation for African Americans in this country, I'm hopeful that visitors will walk away with not only a story of difficulty, but also a story of triumph that speaks to all of us.”
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