22 I SALAMANDER 2024

In the heart of Charleston ,

South Carolina , the International African American Museum ( IAAM ) has risen to celebrate the intricate tapestry of the African American journey . Located in Gadsden ’ s Wharf , a place where more than 100,000 enslaved Africans entered America and , at one time , the country ’ s busiest slave trading port , the IAAM does more than educate the public on the darkest days of the African American experience . Instead , the IAAM stands as a testament to the resilience , triumph and enduring spirit of a community and how

that shaped our nation . “ We often talk about the African American journey living at the intersection of triumph and trauma , great pain and great joy . And you can certainly see that evidenced in a city like Charleston , and I ’ m excited that an institution like ours gets to exist in this space ,” says IAAM Chief Learning and Engagement Officer Malika Pryor-Martin ,.

She adds that the IAAM is not just a physical structure , it is a living narrative that unfolds the stories of African Americans throughout history . As visitors

step through its doors , they are transported into a realm where the struggles and achievements of a community are not just artifacts but living , breathing testaments to the human spirit .

It begins with the structure itself . Hovering 13 feet above the ground , the museum grounds are the site of the African American Memorial Garden , literally a living testament to a people ’ s history . One of most impactful elements of the garden is The Tide Tribute , which is made up of relief figures , each representative of a man , woman or child who