There are few spaces in America that represent the nation's standing as being optimistic, diverse, and innovative quite like a cultural institution. And last week, Charleston, South Carolina added a new page to America's story with the opening of the International African American Museum (IAAM).
Built on a portion of the former Gadsden’s Wharf where 100,000 Africans first stepped on American soil, the IAAM transformed its slave trading port history into a beacon of culture and learning. "Today, we reclaim this land and honor the countless lives lost and enslaved with a monument to our history, our families, our heritage, our contributions, and, yes, our future,” shared actress and Howard University Fine Arts Dean Phylicia Rashad at the opening on Saturday.
This sentiment was echoed by Dr. Tonya Matthews, president and CEO of IAAM. "We tell a big picture, a story of nations, of communities," said Matthews. "To have partners that also value the stories of individuals and are earnestly connected to helping people find their own stories—it’s going to be an invaluable steadying space for us as we ride the waves of our growth."
Those stories come from the IAAM's Center for Family History which provides visitors with details about their own genealogy. Produced with FamilySearch, the Center for Family History doesn't charge for such insights and has plans to offer individual consultations to patrons beginning this August. "It’s a journey. This is a good stopping place for people to stop in and get that kicked off and to be able to learn," said Shelley Viola Murphy who oversees the Center. "It is an International African American Museum," said Thom Reed, a program manager for FamilySearch African heritage initiatives which works with IAAM. "Our people went everywhere in the world. There is a diaspora for people of African descent that is outside of even the United States. And this is a launching point for many individuals and many families.”
And at Friday's soirée, guests savored a myriad of flavors from some familiar faces in the MICHELIN Guide. Flying into town on Delta Airlines were One MICHELIN Star The Musket Room's Executive Pastry Camari Mick and Bib Gourmand Virtue's Chef and owner Erick Williams and Chef de Cuisine Damaar Brown, who joined local Chef Scholar founder Kevin Mitchell joined by Chef Daven Coad to create the evening's menu. From oxtail marmalade (Williams and Brown) to deviled eggs with smoked trout roe (Mitchell and Coad), the dishes were a celebration of talent through the plate. And as for the sweet punctuations? Chef Mick never disappoints and had everyone ooh'ing and ah'ing over her goat milk panna cotta and 71% Portland chocolate mousse while local mixologist Ron Glover whipped up cocktails using Ten To One rum. Overall, the evening was a triumph setting the IAAM for even more fabulous things ahead.
All images: Jiveshot Media Team for Marissa Sams Events
