South Carolina Civil Rights Museum honored as the 2025 David W. Robinson Catalyst Award Winner from Central Carolina Community Foundation
December 4, 2025
The South Carolina Civil Rights Museum has been named the 2025 recipient of the David W. Robinson Catalyst Award from Central Carolina Community Foundation. The annual award honors organizations that spark transformative community change, reflecting the Foundation’s commitment to supporting and uplifting nonprofits across the Midlands.
“The South Carolina Civil Rights Museum represents the type of visionary leadership that the Catalyst Award seeks to honor,” said Erin Johnson, Vice President of Community Investment at Central Carolina Community Foundation. “The Foundation is proud to support nonprofits that move our region forward and preserve the history that shapes our future.”
Founded six years ago in Orangeburg by nationally renowned photographer Cecil Williams and educator Barbara Johnson-Williams, the Museum is dedicated to preserving and sharing South Carolina’s pivotal role in the civil rights movement through educational resources, historical preservation, community engagement, and continued innovation. Its Civil Rights Academy provides online lesson plans, student guides, and downloadable history materials used statewide, and the organization is developing a nonfiction graphic novel to reach new audiences about Briggs v. Elliott, the landmark lawsuit out of Clarendon County that challenged segregation in public education. The Museum also leads in digital preservation, creating one of the earliest fully virtual museum tours during the pandemic and exploring artificial intelligence to enhance historical storytelling. This award is coming at a pivotal moment in the Museum’s history as its new, expanded space at the Railroad Corner site in downtown Orangeburg is currently under construction and will elevate South Carolina’s story on a global stage in 2026.
“This recognition from Central Carolina Community Foundation reflects a partnership that has strengthened our Museum in many ways,” said Museum co-founder Cecil Williams. “The Foundation has offered financial support, leadership guidance, and opportunities to learn from fellow nonprofits, all of which have helped me lead more effectively and expand our reach. We are grateful for this award and for the Foundation’s role in elevating the preservation of South Carolina’s civil rights legacy.”
To learn more about the Museum, visit SouthCarolinaCivilRightsMuseum
About the South Carolina Civil Rights Museum
The South Carolina Civil Rights Museum is the first and only museum in South Carolina dedicated specifically to the history of the civil rights movement in South Carolina. Founded by acclaimed photojournalist Cecil Williams, the museum chronicles the pivotal events that shaped the fight for justice in the state and nation. Through a vast collection of rare photographs, artifacts, and historical documents, the museum reclaims South Carolina’s rightful place in the national civil rights narrative. Located in Orangeburg, S.C., the museum preserves the legacy of the men and women who challenged the status quo to create a more equitable society.
About the David W Robinson Catalyst Award
The Catalyst Award was established in 1994 by inaugural board member David W. Robinson’s family to acknowledge organizations within the Foundation’s 11-county service area that demonstrate leadership, creativity, vision, and commitment toward addressing critical issues in the community.
About Central Carolina Community Foundation
Central Carolina Community Foundation connects local citizens with high-impact philanthropy. With more than $275 million in assets and over 500 charitable funds, the Foundation serves 11 counties in the Midlands through grants and scholarships, promotes giving to nonprofits through Midlands Gives, and provides support to statewide philanthropic initiatives including the One SC Fund.
