The International African American Museum (IAAM) will mark Giving Tuesday with a full day of community-focused programming on Tuesday, Dec. 2, including free museum admission and a special ticketed cultural event highlighting Gullah Geechee storytelling, music, and dance.
Free Admission: 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
The museum will open its doors to the public free of charge from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., an offering made possible through sponsorship from Mother Emanuel AME, Morris Brown AME, and Ebenezer AME. Guests are encouraged to reserve free tickets in advance on a first-come, first-served basis. Walk-ups will be accommodated as space allows.
Night at the Museum: The Gullah Sound of Storytelling — 6:30–9 p.m.
IAAM will continue its Giving Tuesday celebration into the evening with “Night at the Museum: The Gullah Sound of Storytelling,” an immersive program honoring the rhythm, faith, and enduring cultural traditions of the Gullah Geechee people. The event will feature live music, dance, and oral storytelling inside the museum’s Gullah Geechee gallery.
The performance lineup includes:
- Charlton Singleton — Grammy Award–winning musician and co-founder of Ranky Tanky
- Dr. Marlena Smalls — Renowned vocalist, storyteller, and founder of The Original Gullah Festival
- Dr. Tonya M. Matthews — IAAM President and CEO, appearing in a poetry performance
- J. Pink for Arts — A youth-centered dance program focused on expressive, inclusive performance
Tickets start at $35, with a $10 discount available for IAAM members.
Featured Artist Highlights
Dr. Marlena Smalls
A celebrated vocalist, historian, and cultural preservationist, Dr. Smalls has spent decades elevating Gullah Geechee traditions. She founded the Original Gullah Festival (1985) and The Hallelujah Singers (1990), and remains widely recognized for her role as Bubba’s mother in Forrest Gump. She is a South Carolina Black Hall of Fame inductee.
Charlton Singleton
A native of Awendaw, Singleton is a nationally acclaimed musician, conductor, and composer. He is a founding member of the Grammy-winning Gullah quintet Ranky Tanky and serves as artistic director of the Charleston Jazz Orchestra. He is also a 2021 South Carolina Governor’s Award for the Arts recipient.
J. Pink for Arts
This inclusive dance program offers recreational classes for ages 5–18 in a supportive setting where creativity and expression come first. Students are grouped by age and skill level, allowing beginners and seasoned dancers alike to thrive.
Supporting the Mission
Proceeds from the evening event will support IAAM’s “Road to 500K” campaign, an end-of-year initiative designed to welcome 500,000 visitors and raise $500,000 to help advance the museum’s educational and cultural mission. Donations may also be made online throughout Giving Tuesday.
Location:
- International African American Museum - 14 Wharfside Street, Charleston, SC 29401
- Parking is available on Concord Street or in the SC Aquarium Garage.