Avery Research Center Preserves Stories, Uplifts Voices through Documenting the Arc Project

By: Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture

In 2015, the Tri-County area was faced with profound terror. The police killing of Walter Scott and the subsequent massacre of nine Charlestonians by a white supremacist at Mother Emanuel AME Church, marked vicious, back-to-back blows for the Lowcountry. As a result of these tumultuous times, there was little opportunity offered to the community for reflection or for creative expression of their experiences.

In fact, the shock of a nation issued out a clarion call for justice —organizers and activists in the Lowcountry, and around the world, were quickly thrust into an ongoing movement demanding the recognition of human dignity. The same happened in the wake of the George Floyd uprisings—this time, in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

While some served as active participants in the struggle, others acted as witnesses, and some served as documentarians and allies. Many of these stories are not publicly accessible.

The Avery Research Center for African American History & Culture is looking to change that, as a new recipient of the ​​Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation’s new “Broadening Narratives” grant.

The “Documenting the Arc” project, organized by the Avery Research Center, is calling on community members to share their photos, songs, poetry, stories, and other creative media, with a special focus on the period between the killing of Walter Scott and the massacre at Mother Emanuel AME Church.

“This project highlights Black activism, and focuses on those who participated directly in the work,” said Aaisha Haykal, Co-Principal Investigator on the grant and manager of archival services at the Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture. “Through the interviews we have completed, we have been able to document the work of activists and obtained a better understanding of the workings of the organizations as well as the values and concerns of Black people in Charleston.”

“As a student of history, I already knew stories were important to the human experience,” said Joshua Parks, co-producer of the project.  “I learned the power of Black-led institutions, organizations, and media creating platforms and processes to take ownership of their historical narratives. The Documenting the Arc project serves as an example for all interested in doing this type of work.”

Whether directly or indirectly involved in the movement, community members interested in submitting to the project should fill out this interest form to contribute to the community submissions portal. 

Invited participants will join Dr. Millicent Brown in-person or via Zoom to lend their voice to an interview series, which will be available via the Lowcountry Digital Library when the project is complete.

For more information about the Documenting the Arc Oral History Project or upcoming Avery Digital Classroom events, visit the Avery Research Center’s website or call (843) 953-7608.

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