Malika N. Pryor, Chief Learning and Engagement Officer at the International African American Museum (IAAM) said that the museum opened on June 27,2023. It took 23 years to get the funding and coordinate it. The building is constructed so that no part of it touches the ground. The mission of the IAAM is to honor the untold stories of the African American journey at one of our country's most sacred sites.

An African ancestral memorial garden has plants friendly to the local environment. The exhibitions program features 11 core exhibitions, 1 changing gallery with two or three rotating exhibitions and a series of digital exhibitions. The permanent exhibitions have over 150 historical objects. An education program serves K-12 students, and a Center for Family History offers visitors the opportunity to research their genealogies and access the museum's research library.  Offerings were matched to curricula of Charleston schools. The Center for Family History is a genealogy center where visitors can explore records and explore their history.

Andrea Cayetano-Jefferson, a producer of Gullah Sweetgrass Baskets set up a display of her products, as shown here.

Despite the cost of them (I noticed that the large basket shown here was marked $3000), They attracted a lot of attention, and she sold all of the baskets that she had brought.

Have retained traditions. Chosen to be slaves because of their knowledge of baskets. Carolina gold rice is a popular material. A typical basket takes about 68 hours to complete after the materials have been gathered. Drying time varies from a few days to several weeks. Andrea learned to sew baskets at age 6. 

The Gullah corridor extends along the coastline from southern North Carolina to northern Florida

Andrea can be contacted at https://gullahsweetbaskets.com.  In Charleston, many of the baskets are sold in the City Market.

Donald T. Hawkins, Conference Blogger