Charleston Gaillard Center Releases Raising the Volume Episodes XVIII-XXII

By: The Gaillard Center

The Charleston Gaillard Center on Friday released Season Two of Raising the Volume, featuring five new episodes and lesson plans. Featuring conversations on music, race, art, activism, and more, the series is curated by Artists-in-Residence, Marcus Amaker and Charlton Singleton. In Raising the Volume, Charleston’s Poet Laureate Amaker and Grammy Award winner Singleton explore issues through open, honest dialogue. Each conversation includes an in-depth conversation with local Black leaders, educators, business owners, and artists.

The following episodes and lesson plans were released Friday:

• Episode XVIII – Michael Brown (below right) details community traditions, inspiration, and conflict resolution
  • Topics include his experience as a city councilman, as an advocate in the community, and with the Mother Emanuel AME Church shooting
• Episode XIX – Quiana Parler (above right) explores passion, goals for the future, and Gullah culture
  • Topics include her performing as a child, being a member of Grammy Award-winning Ranky Tanky, and auditioning for American Idol.
• Episode XX – Dr. William Melvin Brown analyzes gentrification, equality advocacy, and community outreach
  • Topics include his own experience with racial discrimination and his participation in community programs
• Episode XXI – Lonnie Hamilton III describes his experience as a Charleston educator and a politician
  • Topics include his education in the 1940s, performing with the Jenkins Orphanage Band, and running for political office
• Episode XII – Techa Smalls-Brown reviews the importance of practicing mindfulness
  • Topics include her experience teaching African American history for over ten years, how she handles anger, and how mindfulness generates authenticity

“I’m glad this series is back, and I’m happy to be connected to so many inspiring and motivated community members,” Amaker said.

Charlton Singleton added, “Raising the Volume continues to showcase and celebrate our older and younger community leaders. Like previous episodes each person that we have interviewed has a unique story of their individual trials and triumphs, but they also have a very common theme of uplifting our community, which is something that they have always strived for. As always, I am grateful to the Gaillard Center for their commitment to this series and to our community.”

Each video is accompanied by a lesson plan for both middle and high school students. The Gaillard Center’s on-staff educator, Sterling deVries, will facilitate cross-school virtual meetings for students in different areas to discuss the content of the interviews. Twenty-two lesson plans are available now at gaillardcenter.org. The lesson plans highlight the following interdisciplinary themes: global awareness; civic literacy; working creatively with others.

Watch the episodes and download the plans here. All videos and lesson plans are available for free as part of the Gaillard Center’s Education and Community Program.

Previously released episodes include:

• Episode I – A conversation on music, racism, art, activism, and more with Marcus Amaker & Charlton Singleton.
• Episode II – A conversation on Charleston activism, past and present with former Municipal Court Judge for the City of Charleston for 33 years, Judge Arthur McFarland.
• Episode III – A conversation on awareness and action with the Executive Director of YWCA, LaVanda Brown.
• Episode IV – A conversation on growing up in Charleston and life as a journalist and author with Herb Frazier.
• Episode V – A conversation on arts management with Dr. Karen Chandler.
• Episode VI – A conversation on The Jazz Initiative and Jenkins Orphanage Band with Dr. Karen Chandler.
• Episode VII – A conversation on his life and the health of our Black community with Dr. Thaddeus J. Bell.
• Episode VIII – A conversation on entrepreneurship with Andrea Davis.
• Episode IX – A conversation on finding your voice with Dr. Kylon Jerome Middleton.
• Episode X – A conversation on music and life with The War And Treaty.
• Episode XI – Kellen Gray examines classical conducting.
• Episode XII – Marcus Amaker and Charlton Singleton talk about music, joy, and memory.
• Episode XIII – Regina Duggins discusses her role as a mentor, teacher, and community leader.
• Episode XIV – Dr. Bernard Powers analyzes life and Black history.
• Episode XV – Jirah Perkins explores art and being you.
• Episode XVI – Osei Chandler describes discovering your Kuumba.
• Episode XVII – KJ Kearney highlights Black Food Fridays

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