International African American Museum (IAAM): An Institution of Living Legacy

Gullah/Geechee Nation ♦ December 18, 2012 ♦ 6 Comments

by Queen Quet, Chieftess of the Gullah/Geechee Nation

For over 10 years, I have been blessed to embrace a powerful group of people in Charleston, SC as my ancestors also embraced me and held me even closer in that city than they ever had before.   When I walked along the cobble stone street into the first meeting that I had been personally invited to attend, I would never have known how intense the journey would be to build an institution that speaks volumes to my ancestral legacy.  I would never have conceived that I would be asked to be a part of a bringing before the world ourstory in the form of the International African American Museum appropriately called IAAM.

I AM proud to be a vessel that has had the privilege of being a part of the making of a living monument that

• “shall honor the centuries long experiences of people of African origins in the Americas, a story that neither begins nor ends with enslavement.”

• “shall address facts and events of historical significance without compromising the truth.”

• “shall connect with and engage the people of South Carolina, the nation and the international community.”

• “shall introduce, orient and connect visitors to related places of memory in Charleston, the state, the nation and the world.”

• “shall promote, preserve, interpret and present African American history through collaboration with other peoples, organizations and institutions.”

The many board members that have worked tirelessly to plan for this endeavor are people that share love for one another and especially share a love for history.  Thus, they have volunteered to give their expertise at every step of the way.

The Board of Directors for the International African American Museum (IAAM)

I AM proud that I have been allowed to take these steps with them on a journey that takes us into the past and future simultaneously.  This journey is one for the millions of African people that link to ourstory in the Americas.  Thus, we need all those that know that this is a story that needs to be told and that want to insure that it is told to support the project by being a founding donor at www.iaamuseum.org.  I AM!

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In order to learn more about the significance of this institutions’s placement in Charleston, SC at Arrival Square, tune in to hear Queen Quet conduct the Gullah/Geechee Riddim Radio interview with IAAM Consulting Director, Dr. John E. Fleming:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/gullahgeechee/2012/12/18/the-international-african-legacy-in-charleston-sc

Also, view the Gullah/Geechee TV Nayshun Nyews coverage of the journey of bringing this living monument to life: