Free admission to the International African American Museum (IAAM) will begin at noon on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 1. The day is sponsored by longtime supporter and active board member Charlamagne Tha God and The Black Effect Podcast Network. Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis and can be reserved online.
“At the International African American Museum, we explore and illuminate the stories that shaped this nation. The truth does not divide – it unites,” said IAAM President and CEO Dr. Tonya M. Matthews. “We encourage you to become a part of the IAAM community now. Your membership and donations preserve the history and celebrate the journey.”
IAAM tells the stories of the African American journey, from the Middle Passage to the present day. The museum stands on the site of Gadsden's Wharf, where an estimated 40 percent of enslaved Africans arrived in the United States. Since opening in June 2023, IAAM has welcomed more than 400,000 visitors, with a goal of reaching 500,000 before the end of 2025.
The museum is home to 12 permanent exhibitions, including nine galleries and one Special Exhibitions gallery. Visitors can experience:
- Gullah Geechee (supported by the Yawkey Foundation): Explore the history of the Gullah Geechee people and the contemporary issues facing their communities.
- Atlantic Worlds (supported by Nucor Corporation): Examine historical connections throughout the Black Atlantic World and the interconnectivity between Africa, the Americas and Europe.
- South Carolina Connections (supported by Dominion Energy): Learn stories of resistance and achievement from African Americans in South Carolina’s history.
- American Journeys (supported by the Lilly Endowment Inc.): Discover people, events and stories that shaped U.S. history through the lens of the African Diaspora.
IAAM is also hosting its newest special exhibition, re/Defined: Creative Expressions of Blackness from the Diaspora. The exhibition explores how artists from the United States and the broader African Diaspora have challenged stereotypes, preserved African traditions, resisted systemic oppression and activated audiences. Through fine art, adornment, music and storytelling, the exhibition highlights how Black creatives have shaped cultural narratives and advocated for their communities.
Admission includes access to IAAM’s Center for Family History, which provides visitors nationwide with resources to trace ancestry, uncover untold stories and preserve family legacies. The center offers free digital tools focused on genealogy and African American–centric databases.
Charlamagne Tha God, a Moncks Corner, S.C., native, is a multimedia mogul, Radio Hall of Fame inductee and bestselling author best known as co-host of the nationally syndicated show The Breakfast Club. He is the founder of The Black Effect Podcast Network, the first podcast network specifically built for Black listeners, which brings together leading voices in Black culture for conversations on social justice, pop culture and more.
Road to 500K Campaign
IAAM has also launched its “Road to 500K” campaign, which aims to welcome 500,000 visitors, gain 1,500 new members and inspire 2,000 donors to support its mission of telling untold stories of African American and African Diaspora history.
The museum is asking supporters in Charleston and beyond to help raise $500,000 before the end of the year. Contributions will allow IAAM to preserve and share untold stories, create transformative experiences for students and families, and honor the African American journey.
To learn more about the campaign or contribute, visit: https://onecau.se/iaamhistory