The Mother Emanuel Memorial Foundation announced today that the Emanuel Nine Memorial will open to the public on Nov. 14, providing a permanent place to honor the nine worshippers killed during Bible study at Mother Emanuel AME Church on June 17, 2015, the five survivors and all those impacted by the historic tragedy.
Located adjacent to Mother Emanuel AME Church at 110 Calhoun St. in Charleston, the Memorial will provide a place for remembrance, reflection and education while preserving the stories of the Emanuel Nine and sharing a message of empathy and enduring love.
“The opening of the Emanuel Nine Memorial is an important moment for the families, survivors, Mother Emanuel and the Charleston community,” said Dena Smith, executive director of the Mother Emanuel Memorial Foundation. “We have a responsibility to make sure the lives of the Emanuel Nine and the lessons of this tragedy are never forgotten. This Memorial gives people a place to remember them, learn their stories and reflect on how each of us can help build a future rooted in understanding, compassion and love.”
The Emanuel Nine Memorial honors:
- Rev. Clementa C. Pinckney
- Cynthia Graham Hurd
- Rev. Sharonda Coleman-Singleton
- Tywanza Sanders
- Ethel Lee Lance
- Susie Jackson
- Rev. DePayne Middleton-Doctor
- Rev. Daniel L. Simmons Sr.
- Myra Quarles Thompson
The Memorial also honors the five survivors of the attack and the resilience of the Mother Emanuel congregation.
Designed by architect Michael Arad, designer of the National September 11 Memorial in New York City, the Emanuel Nine Memorial includes the Memorial Courtyard and its central Fountain of Grace, Fellowship Benches and the Cross of Hope, which provides a space for quiet reflection. Development of the Survivors’ Garden, the Memorial’s final element, is expected to begin soon. Once completed, the garden will honor the five survivors and complete the reimagined church grounds connecting the Memorial to Mother Emanuel AME Church.
More than a decade after the attack, the Memorial will preserve this pivotal moment in American history and invite future generations to consider issues of faith, community, race, resilience and the choices people make in the face of hatred.
The public opening also marks the next phase of the Mother Emanuel Memorial Foundation’s work. Through its Crossroads Education & Outreach program, the Foundation will sponsor sessions to equip paths to dismantle racism and hate while providing communities with tools for dialogue, action and fellowship.
The Foundation has secured approximately $19.9 million toward its $25 million campaign goal. Additional support will help fund the Survivors’ Garden, educational programming and the Memorial’s long-term stewardship.
Additional information about the Nov. 14 opening and visiting the Emanuel Nine Memorial will be announced in the coming weeks.
To support the Emanuel Nine Memorial and the Survivors’ Garden, or to learn more, visit emanuelnine.org.
