The International African American Museum is set to open in Charleston, South Carolina, a significant slave trading port in American history. Situated near Gadsden’s Wharf, where nearly half of enslaved Africans entered the country, the museum showcases exhibits and artifacts highlighting the profound impact of African American labor and resistance on the nation and the world. It also features a genealogy research center to assist families in tracing their ancestral roots in America.

Despite delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and supply chain challenges, the museum’s opening ceremony took place on Saturday, marking over two decades of preparation. Former Mayor Joseph Riley emphasized the importance of truth, understanding, and unity as crucial elements for a stronger shared future.