Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture to host three-day symposium and opening for summer exhibits
June 8, 2026
The College of Charleston’s Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture will host “Those Who Have Must Turn Around and Give: Celebrating 40 Years of Preserving Black History and Education” next week.
The symposium will begin on June 9th at the Avery Research Center (125 Bull Street) with a day of workshops centering community archives, Gullah Geechee foodways, oral histories, and collaborative zine making. The day will conclude with a free event from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. officially opening the Avery Research Center’s three summer exhibitions.
The exhibitions include:
- The Radical Quad: The History of the Avery Research Center: traces the formation of the Avery Research Center from its roots as the Avery Normal Institute, the work of the Avery Institute of Afro-American History and Culture, to its present role as an archive, library, and museum.
- Journey to Inner Peace and Beyond by Christine D. Jackson: a multi-sensory exhibition featuring mixed-media paintings, collages, and poetry by Charleston-based artist, author, and wellness facilitator Christine D. Johnson. Inspired by her Jamaican roots and commitment to mental wellness, Christine invites you to reflect on the question: “Where am I in my journey to inner peace?”
- By Any Means curated by KELA: In the spirit of Juneteenth, this exhibition acknowledges both the history and the ongoing pursuit of freedom —creative, personal, and collective — the inner knowing that calls us to create, to express, to become.
The symposium will continue with concurrent sessions on education (June 10th) and archival practices (June 11th) at the Francis Marion Hotel (387 King Street). During the education day, participants will hear keynote speeches from Derrick P. Alridge, Dr. Bobby Donaldson, Dr. Ashley D. Dennis, Dr. Kellie Carter Jackson, Dr. Justin A. Coles, and Dr. Crystal R. Sanders centering the stories of Black teachers’ stories and organizing traditions.
During the archival practice day, participants will hear from keynote speakers Zakiya Collier, Micha Broadnax, Dorothy Berry, DeLisa Minor Harris, Kaitlyn B. Jones, and Chaitra Powell. Other symposium activities include an un-networking program and an awards ceremony honoring educators, archivists, and long-time supporters and staff of the Avery Research Center. Registration is still open, find out more on the Avery Research Center’s website.
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