International African American Museum

06/04/2026

🚨RESCHEDULED🚨 Please note a schedule change for our upcoming program, "Revolutionary Conversations: Humanity in History," originally set for Thursday, June 4. Due to unforeseen circumstances, the program has been rescheduled to Thursday, July 2.

We look forward to gathering with you next month at the International African American Museum to dive into these vital stories of our shared history as part of the commemoration of SC250. If you have already registered, look out for an email update regarding your tickets!

If you haven't yet registered, we invite you to join us for the conclusion of this three-part series, developed alongside the Charleston Gaillard Center and the Gibbes Museum of Art. Facilitated by Tina Singleton, founder of Transformation Table, this conversation challenges us to examine the promises of our past and the possibilities of our future.

🎟️ Tickets: $10 for non-members and $5 for IAAM members.
🔗 Click here to register: iaamuseum.org/event/revolutionary-conversations-humanity-in-history

06/03/2026

We are proud to introduce the 2026 cohort for the IAAM Sankofa Fellowship! 🎓

This year’s fellows are embarking on a 15-day immersive journey in Charleston, S.C. from June 7 to June 21, focused on African American history, community service, and cultural preservation. From exploring Gullah Geechee foodways with AMOR Healing Kitchen to gaining behind-the-scenes experience with our museum teams, these students are set to make a lasting impact. This program is generously funded by Pisgah Investments Foundation, Inc.

Join us in celebrating these emerging leaders as they engage with history, develop professional skills, and contribute to our "Soul(Food) of Freedom" year.

Learn more about the program and our 2026 fellows: https://lnkd.in/e5_pyjSi

06/02/2026

June marks the International African American Museum’s Season of Jubilee! From now until June 30, we are asking our supporters, near and far, to help us raise $100,000 to sustain our mission of telling the untold stories of the African American and African Diasporic journeys.

Every single dollar directly supports our ability to continue the research, conservation, and stewardship of our narratives. From groundbreaking exhibitions to the careful preservation of rare artifacts—like IAAM's collection of The 1850 Daguerreotypes—your generosity keeps these stories alive.

Join us in illuminating the history that shapes our collective past, present, and future.

🔗 Learn more on how you can donate today and thank you for your continued support: https://bit.ly/IAAMSeasonOfJubilee

06/02/2026

These aren't just documents. They are legacies.

We are still buzzing from our time at the Lincolnville Preservation and Historial Society's Lincolnville Hometown Festival this past Saturday. It was an honor for our Center for Family History (CFH) staff to help residents digitize birth records, military documents, pre-1970 photographs, and sacred family Bibles to preserve them for generations to come. We also hosted an Introduction to Genealogy session for those interested in learning how to further discover their family history.

Together, we can build something unforgettable in your town, too. If you're within a two-hour drive of downtown Charleston and want to host an IAAM History Free Document Scanning Day, contact IAAM's CFH team at [email protected].

We are grateful to Live 5 News for capturing the heart of this event and highlighting the vital work of preserving local history. Watch the full news feature here:

06/01/2026

The countdown to Juneteenth officially begins TODAY! ❤️🖤💚

General pre-registration tickets for the entire day are now officially open for our 3rd annual 2026 J.O.Y. | Juneteenth on the Yard, sponsored by TD! Secure your complimentary museum admission pass TODAY and prepare to join us on Friday, June 19 on this sacred ground: https://iaamuseum.org/event/j-o-y-juneteenth-on-the-yard-2026/

Come experience a FREE program of music, culture, food, community, and celebration featuring:

🎤 D Smoke: The three-time GRAMMY-nominated headliner bringing his lyrical precision and powerful storytelling to the mainstage.

🎧 Z93 JAMZ’ Riecy G.: Returning as this year’s host, anchoring a live broadcast featuring music, exclusive interviews, and giveaways!

🌾 Benny Starr’s "The Table": The Lowcountry native and acclaimed artist has curated a special performance of music, storytelling, and movement weaving together memory, care, and collective joy.

⛺ Plus the Vendor Bazaar curated by the Charleston Black Expo, our Ubuntu Village, and the Food Hall.

✨ LAUNCHING TODAY: The J.O.Y. Exchange ✨
We are officially launching The J.O.Y. Exchange! All month long, we invite our global community to share and explore expressions of Black joy: my.walls.io/iaamuseum.

Want to be featured on our dynamic digital social wall at the museum? Share your photos, reflections, and videos all June using the hashtags , , and . Your posts will create a living narrative that will display in real-time throughout the African Ancestors Memorial Garden on June 19!

05/29/2026

As the United States approaches the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence ( ), the International African American Museum (IAAM) is continuing a slate of programs, interpretive displays, and community initiatives in partnership with the South Carolina American Revolutionary Sestercentennial Commission ( ).

Centered on the defining theme, “African Americans and the Legacy of Freedom,” this comprehensive portfolio examines how African-descended communities navigated the deep promises and stark contradictions of the Revolutionary era.

Read more:

Celebrate US250 with IAAM! Explore a lineup of programs and displays highlighting African American history in partnership with SC250.

05/27/2026

Preserve your family’s legacy! 📸✨

Join us on Saturday, May 30, for a IAAM History Free Document Scanning Day in historic Lincolnville as part of the 2026 Lincolnville Hometown Festival. We’re partnering with the Lincolnville Preservation & Historical Society at Ebenezer AME Church to help you digitize your precious family history.

Bring up to 10 family photos (pre-1970s) or documents to be scanned and saved. Whether it's birth records, funeral programs, or family bibles, help us keep these stories alive for generations to come.

What to expect:
✅ Free document scanning (up to 10 items)
✅ Genealogy 101 workshop
✅ Oral history sessions
✅ Fun activities for the whole family!

🗓 Date: Saturday, May 30, 2026
🕙 Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
📍 Location: Ebenezer AME Church (124 E. Pinkney St, Lincolnville, SC)

Learn more at the "IAAM Programs & Events" link in our bio on how to register.

05/24/2026

This Memorial Day, we invite you to spend the day with us at the IAAM.

We will be open for regular hours this Monday, May 25, providing a space for reflection, learning, and remembrance. Whether you are coming to view the new permanent exhibit honoring Medal of Honor recipient Pfc. Ralph H. Johnson or exploring our galleries, we look forward to welcoming you.

Plan your visit at www.iaamuseum.org.

05/22/2026

Join us at the International African American Museum (IAAM) for a profound experience during this year’s Spoleto Festival USA!

We are honored to present "HOMEGOING," a powerful short film by filmmaker Julie Dash and operatic bass-baritone Davóne Tines. Filmed at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston and the Angel Oak Tree in John's Island, this collaborative musical tribute honors the Emanuel Nine, asking a beautiful, challenging question: What if a memorial was a monument to joy?

🗓 Film Showcase: May 22 – June 7 (Included with museum admission and held in IAAM's Theater)
🎙 Special Talk-Back: Join us for "Monuments to Joy: The Making of HOMEGOING" with creator Davóne Tines on Tuesday, May 26, at 12:00 PM in IAAM's Studio Time room. Tines will discuss the process of creating the film, recounting the artistic journey and creative process, involving director Julie Dash, and his band THE TRUTH.

Come for reflection, leave with hope. Learn more at iaamuseum.org/events.

05/21/2026

In recognition of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, we continue our journey of discovery and truth-telling.

Join us on Thursday, June 4 for "Revolutionary Conversations: Humanity in History." Hosted at the IAAM and in partnership with Gaillard Center and the Gibbes museum, this session invites you into a space of intentional reflection.

Guided by the expert facilitation of Tina Singleton of Transformation Table, we will explore the themes of freedom, justice, and belonging. This is an invitation to engage with history not as a static record, but as a living conversation that informs who we are today.

Reserve your seat: https://iaamuseum.org/event/revolutionary-conversations-humanity-in-history/