Behind the Scenes at the New International African American Museum in Charleston, SC

Join us for a Golden Hour Behind the Scenes look at soon-to-open the International African American Museum (IAAM) on Wednesday, May 11 at 11 a.m.

AARP South Carolina is proud to bring you this special opportunity to get a glimpse behind the scenes of the new long-awaited International African American Museum located in Charleston, SC at the historically sacred site of Gadsden’s Wharf, one of our nation’s most prolific former slave ports.

In this virtual event, Dr. Tonya M. Matthews, IAAM President and CEO, will lead guests on a journey through time as she discusses and shows us some of the museum's artifacts and talks about museum galleries. Dr. Matthews will also talk about the history of the museum itself.

Register here to join us.

Dr. Tonya M. Matthews is President and CEO of the International African American Museum (IAAM).  She is a champion of authentic, empathetic storytelling of American history. She sees IAAM as one of the nation’s newest platforms for America to continue the walk toward “a more perfect union.”

A thought-leader in inclusive frameworks, social entrepreneurship, and education, Matthews has written articles and book chapters across these varied subjects. She is founder of The STEMinista Project, a movement to engage girls in their future with STEM careers. Matthews is also a poet and is included in 100 Best African American Poems (2010) edited by Nikki Giovanni. Matthews received her Ph.D. in biomedical engineering from Johns Hopkins University and her B.S.E. in engineering from Duke University, alongside a certificate in African/African American Studies.