CNN: The New Museum at America’s Largest Slave Port Site Also Taps Into a Deeply Rooted Joy

At Gadsden’s Wharf in Charleston, South Carolina, the International African American Museum emerges, paying homage to the enduring legacy of enslaved Africans. It seeks to embrace the dual emotions of anguish and elation that have shaped the African American experience over time. By acknowledging the shattered communities and civilizations rent asunder by enslavement, it also exalts the indomitable spirit and contributions of African Americans in forging new communities and civilizations in America. With its nine galleries resplendent in art, artifacts, and narratives woven with the struggles and triumphs of the enslaved, it becomes a sanctuary for contemplation, enlightenment, and the exploration of ancestral lineages.

Nestled in a place renowned as one of history’s most prolific slave ports, this museum stands as a resolute tribute to the thousands who braved unspeakable horrors and arrived at Gadsden’s Wharf. Its purpose extends beyond reclamation, beckoning all as a sacred site of pilgrimage and fostering an essential national dialogue on race.

From the depths of antiquity, spanning the vast expanse of time from 300 B.C.E. to the present day, the International African American Museum beckons, inviting all to embark on a profound journey of discovery. The echoes of history resound, intertwining the stories of generations past with the aspirations of those who yearn to unearth their ancestral ties.
Through the Center for Family History, IAAM offers a bridge that connects hearts to their roots, enabling a profound understanding of self and heritage.

CNN News Anchor Victor Blackwell was overcome with emotions during his genealogy session with Dr. Shelley Murphy.

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