Opportunities From: Volunteer Connect: International African American Museum

Join the International African American Museum, MOJA Arts Festival, and the Charleston Gaillard Center for One Step Forward—a spirited celebration of rhythm, heritage, and community power. This lively program features a high-impact step exhibition showcasing the skill and precision of local high school students, followed by an interactive, all-ages community class led by the electrifying performers of Step Afrika!

This opportunity requires 2 people to assist with program setup and breakdown, including chairs, signage, and any water stations. Support transitions as needed during the event. Wayfinders to support IAAM staff and Visitor Services throughout the event.

Faith Based Department will present a film debunking the myth that Christianity is a white mans religion with origins from the African Diaspora. Volunteers will be asked to greet attendees, assist with wayfinding, and assist with snacks and drinks for the guests.

The International African American Museum (IAAM), in partnership with the Charleston Literary Festival, invites you to a special evening honoring Dr. Ruha Benjamin and her groundbreaking book, Imagination: A Manifesto. Together, we will explore the theme of “Imagination as Liberation,” reflecting on how bold dreaming can help dismantle limiting systems and seed a future grounded in justice and interdependence. Through dialogue and shared reflection, we will honor Dr. Benjamin’s work and consider how its ideas can be applied within our own lives, families, and communities.

This program requests:

Wisdom & Wordsmiths will feature discussions of SLAY and This Book Might Be About Zinnia to explore how culture and identity shape the lives of young people today. These books open conversations on the importance of representation, the complexities of belonging, and the power of claiming one’s voice and creativity.

Over lunch this program invites children to meet and interact with talented authors who share their compelling stories, offering a window into diverse experiences and perspectives. Through lively read-aloud sessions and insightful conversations, students will connect with authors, ask questions, and dive deeper into the themes and characters of each book. It’s a unique opportunity to explore literature that inspires, while building a love for reading and storytelling.

This program requests:

Wisdom & Wordsmiths will feature How the Word Is Passed (Adapted for Young Readers) with author Dr. Clint Smith, inviting students to explore how history shape’s identity and community today. In conversation with Malika N. Pryor, chief learning and engagement officer at the International African American Museum, this program will encourage young readers to reflect on the legacy of slavery, the importance of memory, and the stories that shape how we understand ourselves and the world around us.

This program requests support to:

Step into Wisdom & Wordsmiths, a dynamic reading and learning series that connects young readers with voices from the African Diaspora. This unique program offers students the chance to meet Dinah Johnson, the author of Indigo Dreaming. This session will allow participants to express themselves through indigo while reflecting on the connections between art, culture, and community.

Duties of this program will include walking, standing, lifting, and moving. 

This need requests:

2 Volunteers assigned to assist Nina Jameson during the indigo dyeing activity.

1 Volunteer to escort guests to and from restrooms throughout the program.

1 Volunteer to assist with miscellaneous needs, including guest check-in and transitions.

This is a North Charleston-wide community document & photo scanning + oral history recording event. The purpose is to preserve North Charleston history and memories, which will be stored on the CFH online archive. This program requests assistance with setting up, greeting visitors, scanning documents, and break down. Breakfast and lunch will be provided.

Join the membership and marketing teams to call and engage with charter members and those whose membership has expired, to continue their support for the IAAM. 

Volunteers to work in the CFH Office downloading USCT Pension Application files from the NARA website: https://catalog.archives.gov/search-within/300020?page=7&q=U.S. Colored Troops

Days & Hours: Mon – Fri; 10am – 4 pm (I don’t expect them to work the full 6 hours. This is just the available timeframe)

Max number of volunteers per day: 4

This will on-going until the files are all downloaded   Each volunteer will be provided with a laptop. They will sit inside the CFH Office. A short overview & training session will be given.   This is open to all volunteers (not just CFH volunteers).