As the College of Charleston moves towards an academic major in African American Studies, the Avery Research Center, the Carolina Lowcountry and Atlantic World Program (CLAW), and the African American Studies program have intentionally and thoughtfully enhanced cross-program collaboration. January ushered in a new form of partnership, as the programs cooperated to offer an artist-in-residence series.
Tracing History sought to share one man’s living history and memory with the South Carolina communities that have nurtured it. Roger Guenveur Smith, an Obie award‐winning teacher, performer, and artist, explored his past during a week‐long residency. This residency included tutorials and performances open to the public, a workshop with students from the College of Charleston, campus and community film screenings with ensuing discussion, and a public conversation with Smith related to his Charleston family history and genealogy.
In evening workshops, Smith worked with undergraduate participants to craft narrative and performance pieces. The students were encouraged to use archival and other historical materials to create new work for the stage. The workshop concluded with an open public rehearsal of the participant-created pieces at the Avery Research Center.
Deborah Wright, our Reference Archivist, recently found this video from Native Magazine featuring this innovative partnership between the arts, the archives, and public memory:
Dr. Conseula Francis, chair of the African American Studies Department, developed and led this initiative, securing sponsorship from The Humanities Council of South Carolina, a state program of the National Endowment for the Humanities. College of Charleston partners included the Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture; African American Studies Program; Department of Communication; Film Studies Program; Multicultural Student Programs and Services; School of Humanities and Social Sciences; School of Languages, Cultures, and World Affairs; and Student Affairs, Office of Institutional Diversity, and Academic Affairs.
Throughout the footage, you can spot our very own intern, T.J. Fielder. Our internship program provides another example of ever-growing opportunities offered by the Avery Research Center and the African American Studies program.
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