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This March, the International African American Museum (IAAM) enters Women’s History Month alongside the debut of its 2026 main theme: Soul(Food) of Freedom.”
This dual focus honors both the leadership and resilience of women across the nation and the African Diaspora, while also introducing a year-long exploration of how culinary traditions have nourished resistance, sustained political organizing, and anchored moments of liberation. By positioning food as a source of cultural and structural power, IAAM invites the public to engage with history through the lens of its current mantra, "IAAM Seasoned,” reflecting a museum matured in its storytelling and dedicated to honoring the wisdom of our ancestors.
WHAT’S AHEAD AT IAAM: “SOUL(FOOD) OF FREEDOM”
- Tagline: Seasoned by History. Served with Purpose.
- Vision: Before there were laws rewritten, there were tables gathered around. Before movements took the streets, they were sustained in kitchens. Before freedom was codified, it was cultivated. "Soul(Food) of Freedom” explores how African and African American culinary traditions have fueled movements. In 2026, alongside commemorating the nation’s 250th anniversary and SC250, IAAM positions food not as nostalgia, but as a political, cultural, and structural power. This theme will anchor institutional efforts through October 2026, including our inaugural IAAM Homecoming.
MARCH 2026 PROGRAMS & EVENTS:
- Young Griots (Youth & Family Program)
- Every Tuesday | 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM *Included with museum admission ticket!
- Empowering young people to become "Griots" (storytellers) through workshops and museum exploration. Held in our Studio Time room, our current sessions feature participants creating Abayomi Dolls, a traditional craft originating from the Yoruba culture in West Africa.
- Getting Started with Genealogy (Daily Sessions)
- Every Wednesday to Friday | 11:00 AM & 2:00 PM *Included with museum admission ticket!
- Expert-led sessions from our Center for Family History (CFH) equip visitors with the primary research tools to document and honor their ancestral heritage.
- 2026 IAAM Sankofa Fellowship (Application Submissions Open!)
- Open through March 20, 2026
- IAAM is currently accepting applications for this 15-day immersive experience designed for rising college juniors and seniors passionate about African American history and cultural preservation.
- Revolutionary Conversations: Memory and Monuments featuring Tina Singleton, Founder of Transformation Table
- Saturday, March 7, | 5:00 PM – 7:15 PM
- In partnership with the Gibbes Museum of Art and the Charleston Gaillard Center, this event marks the first installment of a three-part series in honor of SC250. The Charleston Gaillard Center will host a Revolutionary Conversation, facilitated by Tina Singleton of Transformation Table. The evening invites the community to explore the intersection of memory and monuments while engaging in communal reflection—anchoring the pivotal stories of the Revolutionary era within our contemporary landscape.
- *SPONSORED EVENT* Charleston Black Expo Kickoff: Black-Owned Wine + Spirits Tasting
- Thursday, March 12 | 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
- Hosted by the IAAM, The Kickoff: Black-Owned Wine + Spirits Tasting event officially launches Charleston Black Expo Weekend. Enjoy live music, sip on Black-owned wine and spirits, and celebrate Black excellence.
- Night at the Museum: Land & Liberation
- Wednesday, March 18 | 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- “Night at the Museum” is a signature membership initiative series designed to bring the museum to life after dark. Each edition offers a unique, immersive experience that transforms IAAM’s galleries into living stories through art, performance, and community connection. This edition will include an evening that will explore food sovereignty, land stewardship, and ancestral growing traditions. The evening will also highlight our African Ancestors Memorial Garden and integrate local Black farmers, florists, herbalists, beekeepers, and a vineyard through a nighttime farmers market.
- Truth’s Table Live: Black Women, Faith, and Liberation
- Thursday, March 19 | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- In honor of Women’s History Month, IAAM welcomes award-winning authors and podcasters Ekemini Uwan and Dr. Christina Edmondson, hosts of the “Truth’s Table” podcast, for a live conversation inspiring dialogue on African identity and the restoration of unity. They will also be joined by special guest Dr. Tamara Butler, Executive Director of the Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture. This program centers the resilience and collective strength of Black women, advocating for gender parity and global liberation while offering a post-event book signing.
- American Jews, the Revolution, and the Boundaries of Freedom | CFH Podcast
- Saturday, March 21 | 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
- In alignment with the USA 250 and SC250 commemorations, this live recording explores the diverse experiences of Jewish populations during the birth of the United States. Featuring Dr. Adam Jortner, Goodwin-Philpott Eminent Professor of Religion in the Department of History at Auburn University, this conversation will examine powerful archives that include labor contracts, marriage records, and letters demanding dignity. The session will also uncover stories of survival and the pursuit of rights that shaped the early American landscape.
For registration links and the latest updates on upcoming programs, visit iaamuseum.org/events.