South Carolina African American Heritage Commission

collage image — *From left: Leevy’s Funeral Home, Wilkinson High School state historical marker dedication, Hough’s Hotel state historical marker dedication, Ruth’s Beauty Parlor.*

The movement toward recognizing the importance of preserving this cultural richness led to the passage of a joint resolution of the General Assembly in 1993 that established the South Carolina African American Heritage Council and to its establishment as a commission in 2001 by executive order of Governor Jim Hodges.

The mission of the South Carolina African American Heritage Commission (SCAAHC) is to identify and promote the preservation of historic sites, structures, buildings, and culture of the African American experience in South Carolina, and to assist and enhance the efforts of the South Carolina Department of Archives and History. The 15-member commission includes representatives from all regions of the state.

List of South Carolina African American Heritage Commission Members (PDF)

List of South Carolina African American Heritage Commission Appointed Nonvoting Board Members and Nonvoting Associate Board Members (PDF)

For more information about the Commission, please contact Ayanna Goines, SCDAH African American History Consultant, 803-896-8256.

Upcoming Events

2025 SCAAHC Annual Conference, February 22, 2025, at the SC Archives & History Center
Conference Agenda Flyer (PDF)
Conference Registration Link

SCAAHC Green Book Publication Call for Proposals/Writers (PDF) - Deadline January 15, 2025

Thank you for attending the 2024 SCAAHC Annual Conference at the SC Archives & History Center and helping to make it a success!
Conference Agenda (PDF)
Conference Panel Videos Links (PDF)

Commission Meetings

Subscribe to the SC African American Heritage Commission newsletter

October 2023
December 2023
January 2024
February 2024
March 2024
April 2024
May 2024
June 2024
July 2024
August 2024
September 2024
October 2024
November 2024
December 2024

SCAAHC FY23-24 Historical Marker Funding Program

Announcement Flyer (PDF) - Deadline April 30, 2024

Preserving Our Places in History Awards

Award Recipients Master List, 2006-2021 (PDF)

Commission Goals

Increase the social, political, and economic value of African American heritage.
Encourage and demonstrate respect for all heritage.
Encourage the documentation of African American heritage.
Institutionalize African American heritage as an ongoing goal of preservation.
Explore every area of South Carolina for African American contributions.

Commission Services

Providing advice and technical information—in partnership with the Department of Archives and History—to individuals and groups who want to preserve historic places;
Encouraging and supporting the listing of African American historic sites in the National Register of Historic Places and the placement of South Carolina Historical Markers to recognize and interpret places important in African American history;
Promoting the infusion of African American history into the curriculum of public schools through a partnership with the Avery Research Center for African American History & Culture and the South Carolina Department of Education;
Providing a forum for people interested in preserving African American heritage to learn what is happening across the state, to share success stories, and to receive technical information through meetings and workshops; and
Collaborating with other organizations and agencies to encourage the preservation of South Carolina’s African American history and culture.

Commission Accomplishments

Commission Accomplishments (PDF)

Commission Awards

Palmetto Award of Excellence from the South Carolina Chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators for The Green Book of South Carolina
Mercury Award of Merit from the South Carolina Chapter of the Public Relations Society for The Green Book of South Carolina
Award of Merit form the Confederation of South Carolina Local Historical Societies for our overall body of work
2018 Shining Example Award for "Best Niche Marketing" from the Southeast Tourism Society for The Green Book of South Carolina
2018 Historic Preservation Heritage Tourism Award from Preservation South Carolina, SCDAH, and the Office of the Governor for The Green Book of South Carolina