Shelley Sylva, who leads U.S. Corporate Citizenship at TD Bank noted, “Elevating the voices and sharing the untold stories of African Americans is a crucial piece of our collective journey towards inclusivity and equity. At TD, we believe community, culture and education fuels this journey, so we take great pride in our ongoing commitment to support the initiatives of the International African American Museum (IAAM). The TD Bank Program Series at IAAM is designed to boost access to culturally significant programming highlighting the African American experience - especially by and for those who have historically been excluded. We're excited to see this incredible effort come to fruition and the positive impact it will have on those it touches."
The TD Bank Program Series is designed to educate and empower the local community and beyond. Organized into three thematic categories, the curated series provides a cohesive and engaging experience for attendees.
Malika Pryor, chief engagement and learning officer at IAAM commented, “The IAAM is so grateful for the generous support that TD Bank has provided in our opening year, ensuring that we’re able to present a diverse body of programming that engages visitors of all ages and backgrounds. Programming provides the nuanced and inclusive entry points for our attendees to discover the untold stories of the African American journey, which it is our institution's mission to honor. With friends like TD Bank to help us sustain our efforts, we can and will continue to elevate these critical narratives for many years to come.”
The programs in the TB Bank series run from January through summer and include:
Between the Lines: Conversations with Award-Winning Authors will feature one-on-one conversations with renowned authors, followed by book signings and receptions. The first author talk of the series, with Dr. Ibram X Kendi, will be held on January 25, 2024, at Burke High School from 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for youth. Purchase of the adult ticket includes a signed copy of Barracoon: Adapted for Young Readers. IAAM members receive a $5 discount on tickets. Tickets may be purchased here. TD Bank’s support will also be used to sponsor 200 students from underserved community schools to attend the program and to receive a copy of the featured book.
Hard Fought: Honoring Civil and Human Rights Victories of African Americans will take place during January and February. This annual series of dedicated events pays tribute to the perseverance and achievements of African Americans in the ongoing struggle for civil and human rights.
- The first events in this series, the Emancipation Day parade and Onward from Freedom's Eve, took place on January 1, 2024.
- IAAM KING: A Day of Celebration, will be held on January 15, 2024. The museum will host a showcase of vendors, food trucks, music, and communal fellowship from 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. onsite at 14 Wharfside Street in downtown Charleston. Registration is required here.
- Jammin’ Journeys on February 10, 2024, welcoming participants to a 90-minute exploration of musical selections, instruments, and movement from across the African diaspora. Quiana Parler will lead a performance and workshop centered on the Gullah Geechee connection to Charleston and the Sea Islands and their intersection with the roots of jazz. As lead vocalist for the internationally and critically acclaimed roots music group Ranky Tanky, Quiana Parler spent weeks at #1 on several Billboard Jazz charts. Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for youth and can be purchased here.
- What’s The Word? is a spoken word workshop and performance series for the month of February, focused on elements of rap, hip-hop, storytelling, and theater, as these artforms have been used to address issues in social justice, politics, race, and community.
- The Spirit of Sankofa Workshop, designed for teens, will be held on Thursday, February 15, 2024, from 6:00 pm - 7:15 pm. Jessica Care Moore, an internationally- renowned poet, activist, and institution builder, will teach writing and performance styles and showcase how to use the power of voice to trace connections between the past, present, and future. Registration is required here.
- On Friday, February 16, 2024, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., IAAM will host From Dreams to Reality: An Evening of Spoken Word, honoring the perseverance, achievements, and hard-fought victories of African Americans through an evening of spoken word. The event also features a special performance by Jessica Care Moore. Registration is required here.
