Commissioners In The Community

In July, the Commission said goobye to our intern Tiana Galloway. For the past year, Tiana, a PhD studnet assisted with keeping databases up to date on the most recent state historical marker and National register listings pertaining to African American sites and structures, writing articles for the SCAAHC website, assisting with Commission events like the annual conference, and performing extensive research for the Green Book publication project. This includes creating a database of all of the Black owned and operated businesses in South Carolina that were listed in the historic Negreo Motorist Green Book, now available on the SCAAHC website, and mapping those businesses on ArcGIS maps for analysis. Tiana did tremendous work for the Commission and we are so grateful for her hardwork and dedication to protecting, promoting, and preserving African American history.

Chair Vivian Glover attended the 20th anniversary of 2nd Calvary Baptist Church’s Juneteenth celebration. Chair Glover provided the attendees with a summary of the work of the Commission and ongoing activities, including research and curriculum development on the contributions of South Carolina African Americans during the American Revolutionary War. There was also a table at this event with information about the Commission.

With his coauthor Armad Derfner of Justice Deferred: Race and the Supreme Court, Commissioner Dr. Vernon Burton published an opinion piece on Birthright Citizenship in the Washington Monthly. The article can be found here.

Chair Vivian Glover and Vice-Chair Thad Daise both attended the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor South Carolina Summit. The theme “Voices of Preservation: Culture, Land & Legacy” explored critical conversations surrounding Gullah traditions, language preservation, cultural tourism, and heirs’ property conversations. Thad Daise particiapted in a panel discussion with other SC Gullah Geechee commissioners.

Commissioners Jennifer Curtis and Dr. Melencia Johnson participated in the Juneteenth Celebration for the Center for African American History, Art, and Culture in Aiken. This celebration honored freedom, resilience, and achievement–marking the end of enslavement in the United States. The event included vibrant cultural demonstrations, local artists, musical performances, and community vendors.

Commissioner Dr. K. Renee’ Robertson attended the unveiling of the Commission-funded marker for the Lexington Rosenwald School. This school, one of four in Lexington County, recevied support from the Julius Rosenwald Foundation and was built in 1928-29.

Commissioner Deacon Wilfred Pace participated in the Inaugural Orangeburg Juneteenth Heritage Festival. At the event, information was shared about the SC Department of Archives and History, the Commission, and the Bull Swamp Colored School and Community Center.

Chair Vivian Glover was invited to speak at the Goodwill Educational and Historical Society/Goodwill Cultural Center’s Annual Meeting.

Commissioner Jennifer Curtis attended the First Steps Aiken County Read & Roll event, representing the SCAAHC. The event, hosted by First Steps Aiken County, promotes a love for reading in young children and their families.

Commissioner Dr. Vernon Burton spoke to the Modjeska Simkins School about the history of democracy in the United States. This school, which began in 2015, teaches civics, community organizing skills, and a people’s history of South Carolina to students of all ages.

The Commission had a table at the Lincolnville Hometown Festival. This event, hosted by the Lincolnville Preservation & Historical Society, brought together the Lincolnville community to share family histories and digitize records into the Digital Archives of the International African American Museum.

The SCAAHC had their 4th Strategic Planning meeting with consultant Anne Sinclair. Commissioners and Non-Voting Associate Members reviewed the goals of the previous year, noting what projects and actions were successful, and created an updated strategic plan for the new year.

Commissioners Dr. Phillip Smith and Vivian Glover attended teh unveiling of the Washington Street Park marker. This Commission-funded marker recognizes Beaufort’s only public playground open to African Americans when it was established in 1942. Both Dr. Smith and Vivian Glover spoke on behalf of the Commission and commended the local organization for taking steps to preserve and promote this history.

Commissioners Charmaine Clowney and Vivian Glover attended a presentation by Dr. Edda Fields-Black, a 2025 Pulitzer Prize winning author. The presentation, hosted by the University of South Carolina’s Caroliniana Society’s Annual Meeting, discussed Dr. Fields-Black’s book, Harriet Tubman, the Combahee River Raid and Black Freedom During the Civil War.

Chair Vivian Glover, along with faculty and students from UofSC, and staff from Historic Columbia and the Richland County Conservation Commission, took a tour of Goodwill Plantation in Eastover. This 18th century plantation site consists of history from the precolonial era through the 20th century, and touches on the histories of Native Americans, enslavement, convict lease laboreres, recreational tourism, education, etc.

The Commission had an exhibit table at the SC State Museum’s Teacher Appreciation Day event. Attendees were informed about the mission of the Commission and educational projects like the creation of curriculum on the involvement of Black individuals in the American Revolution.

As part of their 25-26 Action Plan, Vivian Glover met with state representatives to discuss the mission and goals of teh Commission. Folders designed by the Commission and Beam & Hinge, and describe the roles of Black individuals in the American Revolution were given out.

Chair Vivian Glover took a tour of the Goodwill community in Sumter. Stops included Salem Black River Church, Goodwill Presbyterian Church, Goodwill Parochial School, and Tip Raps Plantation. For more information on the interconnected history of these sites, visit this link.

SC ETV premiered a new documentary titled “Our Story, Too: Women, Native Americans and African Americans in the Revolutionary War” which highlights underrepresented perspectives from the American Revolutionary War. Commissioner Dr. Vernon Burton contributed information to the production. A live screening is set for Tuesday April 21 at the Newberry Opera House.

The Commission met for their first Quarterly Meeting of the year. In this meeting, Commissioners debriefed about the Annual Conference and gave updates on current Commission projects. These meetings are open to the public and meeting dates and agendas are posted on the Commission’s website two weeks prior. The next meeting will take place on May 28th, 2026.

The Commission met for their first Quarterly Meeting of the year. In this meeting, Commissioners debriefed about the Annual Conference and gave updates on current Commission projects. These meetings are open to the public and meeting dates and agendas are posted on the Commission’s website two weeks prior. The next meeting will take place on May 28th, 2026.

The Commission held their 3rd SCAAHC Annual Conference on Saturday Feb. 28th. The day was filled with engaging presentations, thoughtful conversations between speakers and attendees, a thought-provoking book talk by author Carolyn Click, and an incredible keynote discussion between Congressman James E. Clyburn and Dr. Bobby Donaldson. Dr. Donaldson was awarded the Order of the Palmetto at the end of the keynote.

Commissioner Charmaine Clowney attended an African American History event at Second Presbyterian Church in Camden, SC. The event was a “Jazz in the Sanctuary” concert featuring Columbia’s music educator and saxophonist, Ken Cheeks.

Commission Chair, Vivian Glover, was part of a virtual roundtable discussion on ASALH TV. She, along with the chairs of the Maryland and New York African American Commissions, provided overviews of the origins, mission, and current initiatives of their respective commissions. They also discussed identifying joint solutions that can enhance the collective impact of state commissions in safeguarding and promoting African American history and culture. You can watch the recording here.

Commissioner Charmaine Clowney attended a Nickelodeon Theater interview and documentary about the early 1900s Charleston artist and activist Edwin Augustus Harleston. Dr. Akua McDaniel, professor and art historian has written the book “A Dream Deferred: The Art and Activism of Edwin Augustus Harleston,” and was interviewed by Dr. Nancy Tolson, Columbia Art Museum Docent and Director of the University of South Carolina’s Undergraduate African American Studies Program.

Commissioner Dr. Vernon Burton gave a talk at North Greenville University titled “Lincoln’s Reconstruction, Liberty, and The Supreme Court’s Denial of Justice.”

Commissioner Wilfred Pace, along with other members of the Bull Swamp Old School and Community Center, received the 1st place award from the NAACP Orangeburg Branch for their display table on the Bull Swamp Colored School and Community Center Project. The table highlighted the history of the school and included archival materials and historic photos.

Commissioner Wilfred Pace attended the Bull Swamp Baptist Church’s Annual Black History Program with Dr. Walter Curry as the speaker. This program was sponsored by the SC Humanities and Deacon Pace accepted an award for the Bull Swamp Old School and Community Center presented by the Directors from the Orangeburg Branch CPM Credit Union

The Commission has been meeting in committees to bring the state a wide variety of projects highlighting Black history. These projects include the involvement of Black individuals in the American Revolution, a Green Book publication, a book prize, the annual conference, and more that will be announced at a later date! Follow the Commission on Facebook, Instagram, and subscribe to the newsletter for updates and announcements!