Charleston Area Branch of ASALH’s former president’s ancestors honored

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In October 2021, Charleston Area Branch of ASALH members Julia-Ellen Davis and Vicki Davis Williams visited London, England, to commemorate the blue English Heritage plaque for William and Ellen Craft. During this visit, they were able to for the first time meet face-to-face their British cousins and this meeting is depicted in the image above. All of the individuals are the great, great grandchildren of Ellen and William Craft.

While in London, CBS News-CBS Saturday Morning and British Sky News interviewed Julia-Ellen and Vicki regarding their ancestors, Ellen and William Craft. The CBS Saturday Morning segment aired
in the United States on October 23rd. The interview with Julia-Ellen and her British cousin discussed the importance of London’s historic Blue plaque, which commemorated the work of William and Ellen as abolitionists in the 1800s in Great Britain.

London’s famous blue plaques link the people of the past with the buildings of the present. Now run by English Heritage, the London blue plaques was started in 1866 and is thought to be the oldest of its kind in the world.

You can find out more about the history of the Craft’s at the College of Charleston’s Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture, where the family has an archival collection and/or view a selection of items digitally on the Lowcountry Digital Library (LCDL) . Additionally, you can read their autobiography, Running a Thousand Miles for Freedom, online here.

Join us for the 2021 ASALH Founders Day Celebration on October 9, 2021 at 1pm

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Description

The Charleston Area Branch of ASALH will celebrate Founders Day by welcoming Dr. Tonya Matthews, who is the new Chief Executive Officer of the International African American Museum (IAAM). The Museum is located at the historical site of Gadsden’s Wharf in Charleston, South Carolina and is scheduled to open in 2022. IAAM has been described as “one of the nation’s newest platforms for the disruption of institutionalized racism as America continues the walk toward ‘a more perfect union’”

A thought leader in inclusive frameworks, social entrepreneurship and education Dr. Matthews will share her thoughts on the historical importance of ASALH, the Black family and her vision for IAAM at this moment of racial reckoning.

We will also welcome the inaugural class of the College of Charleston’s 1967 Legacy Program. The program is comprised of a group of high achieving Black students pursuing excellence in the tradition of Dr. Carter G. Woodson.

Agenda

Welcome

Lift Every Voice and Sing

President’s Comments

Introduction of Featured Speaker

Featured Speaker Remarks: Dr. Tonya M. Matthews, Chief Executive Officer, International African American Museum, Charleston SC

Special Guest Presentation: College of Charleston 1967 Legacy Program

Announcements

Closing Remarks

About Guests

Dr. Tonya M. Matthews

Dr. Tonya M. Matthews is Chief Executive Officer of the International African American Museum (IAAM) at the historically sacred site of Gadsden’s Wharf in Charleston, SC. As a champion of authentic, empathetic storytelling of American history, IAAM is one of the nation’s newest platforms for the disruption of institutionalized racism as America continues the walk toward “a more perfect union.”

A thought-leader in inclusive frameworks, social entrepreneurship, and education, Matthews has written articles and book chapters across these varied subjects. She is founder of The STEMinista Project, a movement to engage girls in their future with STEM careers. Matthews is also a poet and is included in 100 Best African-American Poems (2010) edited by Nikki Giovanni. Matthews received her Ph.D. in biomedical engineering from Johns Hopkins University and her B.S.E. in engineering from Duke University, alongside a certificate in African/African-American Studies.

College of Charleston 1967 Legacy Program

The Legacy 1967 Program aims to improve the recruitment, retention, graduation and workplace success of Black students through scholarships, enhanced and extended education support, and professional preparation, as well as research the experiences of the Black trailblazers who contributed to the College.

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Note Date Change: Join us on July 17th at 1pm for The Black Family: Worship Traditions and Faith Institutions

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PROGRAM TITLE: The Black Family: Worship Traditions and Faith Institutions

DATE AND TIME: Saturday, July 17, 2021, 1-3PM EST via Zoom

SPONSORS: Charleston Area Branch of ASALH

DESCRIPTION:  Worship traditions and faith institutions are a significant historic element of African American life and culture. This forum will explore the rich diversity of these traditions and institutions with a focus on their roles and impact on the Black family.

MODERATOR: Dennis Muhammad, Esq.

PRESENTERS:

Lee Bennett, Historian, Mother Emmanuel AME Church

Rev. DeMett Jenkins, Lilly Director of Education and Engagement for Faith Based Communities, International African American Museum

Kathleen Merritt, Director, Office of Ethnic Ministries, Roman Catholic Diocese of Charleston

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February 13th Branch Event: Preserving the Black Family through Records

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Join the archival staff at the College of Charleston’s Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture for a discussion on the role of archivists and archives in preserving family histories

When: Saturday, February 13, 2021 via Zoom

Time: 1:00 p.m. EST

Sponsored by the Charleston Area Branch of ASALH and the Charleston Freedom School

Event is free and open to the public

Register

Please use the form below to register for the event or click the link here

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Charleston Area Branch of ASALH February 2021 Events

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PROGRAM 1: PRESS CONFERENCE ANNOUNCING 2020 BLACK HISTORY MONTH THEME; “THE BLACK FAMILY”

DATE: February 1, 2021 (Zoom), Registration will be available in January 2021

TIME: 12:00 p.m.

SPEAKER: Julie Monroe, President of Charleston Area Branch of ASALH

SPONSOR: Charleston Area Branch of ASALH

DESCRIPTION: This event is designed to promote the celebration of Black History Month and the year-long activity of the branch focused on theme “The Black Family.”

PROGRAM 2: “THE BLACK FAMILY: FINDING AND TELLING YOUR FAMILY STORY”

DATE: February 13, 2021 (Zoom), Registration will be available in January 2021

Time: 1:00 p.m.

SPONSORS: Charleston Area Branch of ASALH, The Avery Research Center, Charleston Freedom School

DESCRIPTION: This event is the first in a year-long series of activities to encourage and promote the research, preservation, and sharing of the histories of Black families. The Avery Research Center will present approaches that we can use to construct historical narratives that reveal the identity and diversity of our families. Participants will also learn how to utilize the resources of the Avery Research Center in researching and preserving their family stories.