The International African American Museum (IAAM) and Charleston County Public Library (CCPL) are proud to announce a collaboration to highlight African American history and culture through CCPL’s Dial-A-Story and IAAM’s Hidden Gems initiatives. This partnership reflects a shared commitment to making African American stories more accessible to the Charleston community and beyond.
Launched in September 2020, CCPL’s Dial-A-Story initiative provides an easy and accessible way for the community to engage with literature. By dialing (843) 805-6806, listeners can hear stories read aloud by library staff and guest storytellers. These selections include short stories, poems, and book excerpts tailored for different age groups. This includes children, teens, and adults. Dial-A-Story is designed to foster a love for reading and storytelling while ensuring accessibility for those who may not have internet access or prefer listening on the go. This initiative underscores CCPL’s commitment to making literature available to all, regardless of location or resources.
"CCPL is honored to partner with IAAM to highlight the rich and powerful stories of African American history and culture through our Dial-A-Story program,” said CCPL’s Executive Director Angela Craig. “This collaboration allows us to provide an accessible and engaging way for our community to hear stories that celebrate resilience, heritage, and identity. By amplifying these narratives, we hope to inspire curiosity, reflection, and a deeper appreciation of the contributions of African Americans to our shared history."
The IAAM’s Hidden Gems initiative is a storytelling series that brings to light lesser-known narratives, artifacts, and contributions of African Americans throughout history. Created with younger audiences in mind, Hidden Gems stories introduce children and teens to the richness of African American history in a way that is engaging and accessible. These stories can be accessed by dialing (843) 805-6806 and selecting extension 6.
As part of IAAM’s collaboration with CCPL, members of the IAAM Youth Advisory Council, alongside esteemed storytellers and historians, have developed original stories to showcase through Dial-A-Story. Among the creators are Julian Gooding, children’s and young adult librarian, storyteller, documentary filmmaker, and cultural historian, and Natalie Daise, a master storyteller known for her work preserving Gullah Geechee culture. These contributors have crafted some of the initial Hidden Gems stories that will be available on Dial-A-Story, providing listeners with immersive, meaningful narratives that celebrate African American history and heritage.
"CCPL and IAAM have been partnering for several years, and we couldn’t be more excited to be reengaged. When I arrived at the museum three years ago, CCPL was already a meaningful collaborator,” said Malika Pryor, IAAM’s Chief Learning & Engagement Officer.
“From book drives to summer reading workshops and eventually Dial-A-Story, our partnership was integral to expanding the Museum’s reach into the community before we had even opened our doors. IAAM remains committed to working with the Charleston County Public Library to create the kinds of experiences that bring history and culture to life and make literacy exciting and fun.”
Through this partnership, CCPL and IAAM will continue to expand access to stories that educate, inspire, and preserve history, ensuring that audiences of all ages can connect with the rich traditions of African American storytelling.
