International African American Museum (IAAM) Celebrates First Year Achievements and Looks Ahead for 2025 

January 31, 2025 

PRESS RELEASE: 2024 RECAP, 2025 MAJOR EVENTS 

Contact: Paul Holston, Marketing & Communications Manager at [email protected] or IAAM Marketing Division at [email protected]. 

International African American Museum (IAAM) Celebrates First Year Achievements and Looks Ahead for 2025 

Charleston, S.C. – Since its grand opening in June 2023, the second largest African American museum in the United States has made substantial, empowering progress since its inception. The museum continues to welcome its neighborhood Charlestonians and surrounding cities, South Carolinians and regional states, national, and international visitors to experience one of “The World’s Greatest Places” by TIME Magazine. 

2024 has been an inspirational first operational year for the International African American Museum (IAAM): 

OFFICE OF THE CEO: 

• December 2024: IAAM CEO Dr. Tonya M. Matthews was included as part of official presidential delegation to Angola to witness and support President Biden’s historic trip to Angola, along with former IAAM Board Members Steve Benjamin and Marva Smalls. 
• Additional note: On January 19, 2025, former 46th President Joe Biden visited IAAM as part of his last official presidential visit. 

LEARNING & ENGAGEMENT (L&E): 

• February 2024: IAAM’s 2024 Awakening the Ancestors Program featured Gullah Gullah Island founding cast members and cultural advocates Ron and Natalie Daise. 
• June 2024: Juneteenth On the Yard – the IAAM celebrated in the African Ancestors Memorial Garden with live music, food trucks, and interactive games. Attendees were able to explore our exhibits and the vibrant gardens as we honored the resilience and joy of the African American spirit.
• November 2024: In collaboration with the Charleston Literary Festival, IAAM hosted the renowned and highly awarded poet Nikki Giovanni’s final recorded interview. 

MUSEUM AND SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS: 

• In 2024, IAAM opened two long-awaited exhibitions:
  • May 2023-November 3, 2024: “Follow the North Star: Freedom in the Age of Mobility,” was an immersive, multi-media experience that brought life into the vibrant journey towards freedom across the African Diaspora. This captivating exhibition, curated by James E. Bartlett, invited visitors to explore the enduring allure and elusive nature of ‘freedom’ through a dynamic and interactive journey. 
  • December 2024-May 7, 2025: “Unsettled Things: Art from an African American South,” co-premiered with UNC Chapel Hill’s Ackland Museum, features 44 works by 28 artists, the exhibition challenges traditional hierarchies and showcases the brilliance of often-overlooked Black artists from the South. 

MARKETING: 

• October 2024: IAAM hires inaugural Chief Marketing Officer, Ashlei Elise. 
• December 2024: Full Marketing Division is established at IAAM with the addition of Marketing & Communications Manager, Paul Holston, Partnerships & Activations Sales Manager, Trevor Arrowood, and Social Media & Digital Coordinator, Dalen Priester. 

VISITOR CENTER: 

• In 2024, IAAM welcomed more than 149,000 visitors to the museum for a total mission impact of 167,251. 
• In addition to our on-site visitors, IAAM team members participated in and created programs beyond the museum, hosting and impacting more than 276,000 people with our museum and programs in 2024. 

2025 Major Programs & Events at IAAM (JANUARY-JUNE 2025): 

• January 20, 2025: IAAM King: A Day of Service in partnership with YWCA GreaterCharleston and Charleston Promise Neighborhood. (Program and celebration was generously funded by the exceptional support of TD Bank. Free admission to the museum was provided by Boeing.)
• February 1, 2025: Jammin Journeys | Lowcountry Spirituals 11:00AM–12:00PM | [SOLD OUT] 
• February 1, 2025: The Significance of Free People of Color in Genealogy | Podcast 1:00PM–2:30PM | [WATCH HERE]
• February 1, 2025: Arrival of the First Africans in English America | IAAM Somebody Film Series 5:30PM–7:30PM | [REGISTER HERE]
• February 7, 2025: A Conversation with Imani Perry on “Black in Blues” 6:30PM-8:00PM | [REGISTER HERE]
• February 8, 2025: Genealogical Challenges and Strategies for Researching Free People of Color | Podcast :00PM–2:30PM | [WATCH HERE]
• February 8, 2025: Liberty Hill: An Unpolished Jewel | IAAM Somebody Film Series 5:30PM–7:30PM | [SOLD OUT]
• February 13, 2025: An Evening of Poetry & Music | Honoring the Legacy of Eartha Kitt 6:30PM–8:30PM | (This program is made possible through the generous support ofTD Bank.) [REGISTER HERE]
• February 15, 2025: From Cotton to Courage | Writing Poetry for Resilience & Change11:00PM–12:30PM | (This program is made possible through the generous support of TD Bank.) [REGISTER HERE]
• February 15, 2025: Empowering Descendants of Free People of Color | Podcast 1:00PM–2:30PM | [WATCH HERE]
• February 15, 2025: I Am Somebody | IAAM Somebody Film Series 5:30PM–7:30PM | [REGISTER HERE] 
• February 16, 2025: Awakening of The Ancestors: Echoes of The Past, Harmony forThe Future | Featuring the Fisk Jubilee Singers Experience Awakening of TheAncestors Through Music 6:00PM–8:00PM | [REGISTER HERE]
• February 17, 2025: Awakening of The Ancestors: Echoes of The Past, Harmony for The Future | Master Class with Dr. G. Preston 11:00AM–12:00PM | [REGISTER HERE]
• February 22, 2025: Critical Inclusion: Why Free People of Color Must Be Central To Genealogical Research | Podcast 1:00PM–2:30PM | [WATCH HERE]
• February 22, 2025: Kentucky Muse: Coal Black Voice | IAAM Somebody Film Series 5:30PM–7:30PM | [REGISTER HERE]
• February 28, 2025: An Architect & An Engineer | Shaping Black Heritage Through Memory & Landscape with Walter Hood and Dr. Tonya Matthews. 6:30PM–8:30PM | (This program is made possible through the generous support of TD Bank.) [REGISTER HERE]
• March 5, 2025: Unveiling Truths: Family Histories and the Legacy of Slavery 6:30PM–8:30PM | [REGISTER HERE]
• March 12, 2025: Roots of Faith Unveiling the Gullah Geechee Muslim Experience in America 6:30PM–8:30PM | [REGISTER HERE]
• March 19, 2025: Illuminating Voices: A One-on-One Spotlight Conversation with Khristi Lauren Adams 6:30PM – 8:30PM | [REGISTER HERE]
• March 27, 2025: Women of The Diaspora | Featuring Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie 6:30PM–8:30PM | [REGISTER HERE]
• June 2025: Month of Jubilee *Program dates to be announced*
• June 12, 2025: – re(Defined): Creative Expression of Blackness in the Diaspora | Newest special exhibition to come to IAAM.
• June 19, 2025: Juneteenth On the Yard
• June 20, 2025: Jubilee Soiree – IAAM’s 2nd Anniversary

What’s to come for the rest of 2025? For latest news and updates, please follow us for on our social medias: Facebook, Instagram, BlueSky, and TikTok. 

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About the International African American Museum 

The International African American Museum (IAAM) explores the history, culture, and impact of the African American journey on Charleston, South Carolina, the nation, and the world, shining light and sharing stories of the diverse journeys, origin, and achievements of descendants of the African Diaspora. Located at the historically sacred site of Gadsden’s Wharf, IAAM honors the untold stories of the African American journey. Learn more at www.iaamuseum.org.