IAAM CEO Dr. Tonya M. Matthews Featured in The HistoryMakers Digital Archive, Exploring Strategic Partnership with UNESCO Sites

March 7, 2025

PRESS RELEASE: IAAM CEO Featured in The HistoryMakers

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

Dr. Tonya M. Matthews, CEO of the International African American Museum, Featured in The HistoryMakers Digital Archive, Exploring Strategic Partnership with UNESCO Sites

Charleston, S.C. — Dr. Tonya M. Matthews, President and CEO of the International African American Museum (IAAM), has been recognized and featured within the prestigious HistoryMakers Digital Archive, known as “the digital repository for the Black experience,” as a testament to her significant contributions to preserving and promoting African American history and culture. Dr. Matthews is now exploring strategic partnerships between the IAAM, The HistoryMakers, and UNESCO’s 22 Sites of Memory related to the Slave Route Project.

The HistoryMakers, a national non-profit organization, is dedicated to documenting, preserving, and sharing the rich history of African Americans. Its digital archive provides unparalleled access to thousands of first-person narratives from prominent African American leaders across various fields, serving as an invaluable resource for education and historical understanding. The Library of Congress serves as the permanent repository of this important collection, which has been compared to the WPA Slave Narratives of the 1930s.

“It is an honor to be included among the esteemed individuals featured in The HistoryMakers,” said Dr. Matthews. “This recognition underscores the importance of preserving and sharing the African American story, which is integral to understanding the broader narrative of American history.”

Dr. Matthews is now focused on developing strategies to amplify the impact of both The HistoryMakers and the IAAM through collaborative efforts with UNESCO’s 22 Sites of Memory. This strategic initiative aims to connect these vital historical resources, fostering greater awareness and understanding of the transatlantic slave trade and its enduring legacy.

“The International African American Museum stands on Gadsden’s Wharf, a place of extreme historical significance, and it is our mission to ensure that the stories of the African Diaspora are told with accuracy and empathy,” Dr. Matthews explained. “By partnering with organizations like The HistoryMakers and leveraging the global reach of UNESCO, we can create powerful educational opportunities and promote a deeper understanding of our shared history.”

The strategic planning will include:

• Enhanced Digital Accessibility: Exploring ways to integrate the HistoryMakers Digital Archive with IAAM’s educational resources and online platforms.
• Collaborative Programming: Developing joint exhibitions, lectures, and educational programs that highlight the connections between the IAAM, The HistoryMakers, and UNESCO’s Sites of Memory.
• Global Outreach: Utilizing UNESCO’s network to expand the reach of these historical resources, fostering international dialogue and understanding.

The IAAM, located on the historically significant Gadsden’s Wharf in Charleston, South Carolina, serves as a vital institution for exploring the history, culture, and impact of the African Diaspora in the Americas.

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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 and follow IAAM on Facebook, Instagram, BlueSky, TikTok, and LinkedIn.