International African American Museum

International African American Museum Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from International African American Museum, Nonprofit Organization, 14 Wharfside Street, Charleston, SC.
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Located on the site where almost half of all African captives arrived in the U.S., the International African American Museum will share the untold stories of the African American journey at one of our country's most sacred sites. Located on the site where almost half of all African captives arrived in the U.S., the International African American Museum will present the largely untold experiences and accomplishments of Americans of African descent.

We say their names and we remember their light 🕊️: Rev. Clementa C. Pinckney, Cynthia Graham Hurd, Ethel Lee Lance, Myra...
06/17/2026

We say their names and we remember their light 🕊️: Rev. Clementa C. Pinckney, Cynthia Graham Hurd, Ethel Lee Lance, Myra Singleton Quarles Thompson, Rev. DePayne Middleton-Doctor, Rev. Daniel L. Simmons, Sr., Rev. Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, Susie J. Jackson, Tywanza Kibwe Diop Sanders.

Today marks 11 years since June 17, 2015, when nine extraordinary souls were tragically taken at Mother Emanuel AME Church.

By displaying their faces and honoring their stories, we anchor their legacies within the larger tapestry of African American history—celebrating their profound connection to South Carolina and their lasting impact to the world.

As we honor the today, let us not only reflect on their memory, but actively commit to the lessons of unity, faith, and the ongoing pursuit of a more just world.

(🎨: )

06/17/2026

With today marking the 11th anniversary of the tragedy at Mother Emanuel AME Church, the International African American Museum (IAAM) pauses to honor and remember the . It remains vital that we continue to lift up the individual stories and legacies of those who lost their lives.

In this video, Dr. Harry Singleton, IAAM's Lilly Director of Faith-Based Education & Engagement, speaks on the profound importance of this anniversary and the power of memory.

We also hear from Mother Emanuel AME Church Historian Lee Bennett, who shares reflections on this milestone and discusses the community's anticipation for the upcoming opening of Phase 1 of the Emanuel Nine Memorial on October 2026.

The video concludes with an exclusive look at the trailer for "The Polly Sheppard Story," documenting the remarkable journey of one of the tragedy's survivors. The full documentary of "The Polly Sheppard Story" is available exclusively on LuminaTV.

Learn more about IAAM and plan your visit at www.iaamuseum.org.

06/16/2026

“It took 70 years for a judge in South Carolina to finally vacate his conviction... and finally exonerate George Stinney Jr.’s name.” 
 
Our latest gallery addition honors the memory of George Stinney Jr., a 14-year-old from Alcolu, South Carolina, who was wrongfully convicted and executed on June 16, 1944. Standing at just 5’1” and weighing 95 pounds, he remains the youngest person executed in the United States during the 20th century.
 
Through original investigation and trial documents, this exhibit lays bare the devastating speed and lack of evidence that characterized his trial—which lasted only two hours, with a verdict reached in just ten minutes by an all-white jury.
 
Listen as IAAM’s Associate Curator Isabelle Britto reflects on this critical piece of history. You can view the accompanying powerful artwork, “Rock-a-bye Baby” by J Renée, during your visit at the IAAM. 
 
🏛️ Plan your visit to honor his memory in person at iaamuseum.org (Note: To preserve the sensitive nature of the artwork, photography and videography are not permitted in this section).
 

Flag Day, observed annually on June 14, commemorates the adoption of the American flag by the Second Continental Congres...
06/14/2026

Flag Day, observed annually on June 14, commemorates the adoption of the American flag by the Second Continental Congress in 1777 and was officially established as a national observance in 1916.

The U.S. flag’s design—50 stars representing the states and 13 stripes honoring the original colonies—has long symbolized unity and national identity. However, at the International African American Museum, Flag Day also invites deeper reflection on the many symbols and identities that exist beyond the American flag.

Here within our museum, we currently display a reproduction of an African American Flag, created in 1990 by David Hammons. As an artwork, the African American Flag merges the pattern of the U.S. flag with the red, black, and green colors of the Pan-African flag. This flag was first created by Marcus Garvey and the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA).

African peoples arrived in the Americas from diverse nations, kingdoms, and cultural communities, each with their own flags and symbols representing identity, belonging, and sovereignty. These histories were transformed through forced migration and continue to shape the fabric of this nation.

On this Flag Day, we encourage visitors to reflect on these layered histories and consider the multiple identities that exist within America’s story.

Visit IAAM to explore these layered histories in person—plan your visit: iaamuseum.org/plan-your-visit.

We are honored to host an upcoming virtual conversation with internationally renowned educator Jane Elliott, creator of ...
06/13/2026

We are honored to host an upcoming virtual conversation with internationally renowned educator Jane Elliott, creator of the world-renowned “Blue Eyes/Brown Eyes” experiment. Join us as the Center for Family History team sits down to challenge our assumptions, examine the systems we participate in, and dive into the “Truth About Prejudice.”

This is more than just a podcast episode—it’s an urgent invitation to reflect, learn, and grow.

📅 Saturday, June 20 | 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
📍 Online
Spaces are filling up for this important discussion. Don’t miss your chance to be part of the conversation!

🔗 Register to join in on the discussion: https://iaamuseum.org/event/the-truth-about-prejudice-with-jane-elliott-cfh-podcast/

The final countdown is officially ON! We are exactly ONE WEEK AWAY from our 3rd Annual J.O.Y. | Juneteenth on the Yard, ...
06/12/2026

The final countdown is officially ON! We are exactly ONE WEEK AWAY from our 3rd Annual J.O.Y. | Juneteenth on the Yard, sponsored by TD!

Join us next Friday, June 19, from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM in our African Ancestors Memorial Garden for a multigenerational celebration of JOY, reflection, and community. We're also offering COMPLIMENTARY museum admission ALL DAY long from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM! Outdoor festivities are open to all, but to explore the indoor galleries for free, we strongly recommend pre-registering for a timed-entry ticket.

Here is what’s waiting for you on the Yard:
🎤 D Smoke: Catch our 3x GRAMMY-nominated headliner bringing his lyrical precision and powerful storytelling to the mainstage.
🌾 Benny Starr’s "The Table": In connection with our 2026 theme, "Soul(Food) of Freedom," this curated performance weaves music, movement, and storytelling with an array of local talent.
🎧 Live Broadcast with Z93 JAMZ: Hosted by Riecy G. starting at noon, featuring music, interviews, and giveaways!
📸 Visions of J.O.Y. (Sponsored by TD): A live photography station to capture your personal expressions of joy.
⛺ Plus: The Vendor Bazaar (curated by Charleston Black Expo), Ubuntu Village (family crafts), and the Food Hall (featuring 10+ local vendors)!

✨ The J.O.Y. Exchange is Live! ✨
Don’t forget to share your photos and reflections of JOY using , , & ! Your posts will be displayed in real-time on digital screens throughout the Garden next Friday into the rest of June.

🔗 Secure your free timed-entry museum tickets while they still last! Let's celebrate and embrace JOY ❤️🖤💚: https://iaamuseum.org/event/j-o-y-juneteenth-on-the-yard/

Registration is still open for the IAAM Summer Camp 2026: Full Op Wid Joy! ☀️⛺️✊🏿Summer is here and camp is just around ...
06/11/2026

Registration is still open for the IAAM Summer Camp 2026: Full Op Wid Joy! ☀️⛺️✊🏿

Summer is here and camp is just around the corner! We still have a few spots left for your young creators, thinkers, and leaders.

Give your kids an unforgettable experience where they can spark their imagination and build lifelong confidence. Through engaging hands-on activities, storytelling, and creative projects, this program will ground young people in the rich depth of African American history and culture.

🌟 Scholarships are also still available! We are committed to making this experience accessible to our community, so don't hesitate to reach out and apply.

Let’s fill this season with learning, connection, and full of JOY!

Secure your child's spot and/or apply for a scholarship today: iaamuseum.org/event/iaam-summer-camp-2026-full-op-wid-joy/

06/09/2026

“As a people, there’s nothing we haven’t done and there is no place we haven’t been.” ✊🏿🐎✨

History, culture, and identity are deeply woven into the land.

For Mark and Sandra Myers—founders of Greenfield Farm and creators of the annual Black Cowboy Festival—that connection is profoundly personal. In 1991, they purchased the very land in Rembert, South Carolina, where Sandra’s ancestors once worked as enslaved individuals and sharecroppers, turning a site of historic struggle into a beacon of cultural preservation.

We are proud to feature their story in our newest digital exhibition, "Black Cowboys of South Carolina." From the rodeo arena to the deep roots of Southern agriculture, Black cowboys and cowgirls have always been a foundational, yet often overlooked, part of the American narrative.

Discover the resilience, craftsmanship, and enduring impact of the horsemen and horsewomen keeping this vital legacy alive. The full digital exhibition is available to view now: https://artsandculture.google.com/story/CwXxBPnnP86TLA

(🎥: Matthew Stevenson, IAAM's Curatorial Assistant)

06/05/2026

“Freedom is a lot of things, but free ain’t one of them.” ✊🏿✨

Juneteenth is more than a celebration of freedom—it’s a time to honor the contributions, creativity, and joy that built this nation. As seen in last year’s celebration, we gather to honor the past while celebrating the enduring resilience of our community through music, art, and fellowship.

We invite you to join us on Friday, June 19 from noon to 5 PM for our 2026 J.O.Y. | Juneteenth On The Yard, sponsored by TD! Museum admission will also be complimentary throughout the day, but we encourage you to reserve your timed-entry tickets in advance while they last.

🗓️Details:
—Museum Admission: Opens at 10 AM (complimentary).
—Outdoor Activations: Begins at 11 AM in our African Ancestors Memorial Garden.
—Official J.O.Y. Celebration: The program starts at 12 PM as the yard comes alive with soul-stirring performances, incredible live music, mouth-watering eats, and a curated selection of unique artisan vendors.

🔗 Reserve your museum admission tickets and learn more: https://iaamuseum.org/event/j-o-y-juneteenth-on-the-yard-2026/

🎥: Your World On Film

🚨RESCHEDULED🚨 Please note a schedule change for our upcoming program, "Revolutionary Conversations: Humanity in History,...
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

Address

14 Wharfside Street
Charleston, SC
29401

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

+18438725352

Website

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