Brandon Chapman was born in Charleston, South Carolina in 1993. After graduating from the College of Charleston, he joined Charleston Area Justice Ministry (CAJM) as an associate organizer in January 2017. He worked with the organization for three years coordinating the demand for affordable housing in Charleston. In the interview, Chapman reflects on growing up in the Lowcountry, developing an interest in social justice, and the work and challenges involved in organizing and building people’s power in Charleston. He remembers the resistance CAJM faced when demanding a Charleston Police Department racial bias audit. Finally, he talks about his decision to move to Washington, DC and his job at the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights.
Fred Lincoln is a resident of the Jack Primus community in Cainhoy, South Carolina. He lives on the land owned and passed down by his formerly slaved ancestors. Lincoln discusses the protest organized by John "Sammy" Sanders to save the Meeting Tree in Daniel Island that got the attention of the local media but received limited support from the local Black community. He affirms the most pressing issue is protecting Black residents’ property rights. Lincoln has been a member of the Wando-Huger, Community Development Corporation since 1992. This organization has worked since its inception to ensure black residents receive adequate compensation when development is unavoidable. Lincoln takes pride in their work with Charleston County to zone 150 acres for affordable homes, as well as, stopping the Port Authority’s plan to open railroad and truck access through their community. He affirms that their ability to show up as an organized community with deep roots in the region earned them the political support they needed to succeed. Finally, Lincoln states they are currently working with the Department of Health and Environmental Control to bring city water and sewer services to the community.
Joshua Parks was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and grew up in Jacksonville, Florida. He attended Howard University in Washington, DC and worked at the Sankofa Bookstore owned by filmmakers Haile Gerina and Shirikiana Aina Gerina. While in college, he was the chair of the NAACP college chapter and engaged in community organizing with Pan-African Community Action (PACA). His traveles to Cuba, Haiti, and South Africa contributed significantly to his political education. After graduation, he returned to Florida and worked as a teacher for two years. In 2019, he moved to Charleston, South Carolina to attend graduate school. He became involved in local organizing and was one of the founding members of the Lowcountry Action Committee. He reflects about the work Lowcountry Action Committee had done in collaboration with Eastside Community Development Corporation focusing on mutual aid, food distribution, and education. The Lowcountry Action Committee is also among the founding organization of the People's Budget Coalition and frequently partners with the Center for Heirs Property in educational programs for community members affected by development and gentrification.
Marcus McDonald was born in Silver Springs, Maryland, and grew up in Columbia, South Carolina. He moved to Charleston in 2014 to attend the College of Charleston, where he graduated with a degree in finances. McDonald is the founder of Adesso Entertainment. In 2020, after the killing of Ahmaud Arbery and George Floyd, he felt compelled to act and started organizing with Black Lives Matter. McDonald talks about the marches organized in downtown Charleston right after the video of George Floyd’s police killing was released and about the police repression that followed up. He discusses the challenges of being a new face in the Charleston organizing scene, the process of forming the Independent Charleston Black Lives Matter Chapter, and how he became identified as its leader. In the interview, McDonald reflects on teaching at Burke High, his work with the Eastside Community Development Corporation, and his participation in several local coalitions that focus on police brutality, racism, and gentrification.
Raynique Syas was born in Los Angeles, CA, in 1985. She is a Charleston Area Justice Ministry organizer. She remembers growing up in Watts in a typical urban area of the city impacted by poverty, drugs, and violence. There, she also experienced a profound sense of community and the support of her family strong women. Syas states that it was much later in life that she understood the systemic injustices that plagued her community and affirms it was this awareness that fuels her activism. Syas moved to Charleston looking for better opportunities for her three children but was unprepared for the cultural differences and the racism she encountered in South Carolina. Finally, she talks about why she joined Charleston Area Justice Ministry (CAJM), first as a member and team leader and later as an organizer. She reflects on one of the biggest CAJM efforts, the racial audit of Charleston and North Charleston police departments, and how COVID impacted organizing work.
Document entitled, "Port City Lease Agreement," outlining the terms and conditions of the rental of the property located at the former "Cigar Factory" at 701 East Bay Street, Charleston, South Carolina, 29403 between the Charleston Chapter of the NAACP (tenant) and the South Carolina limited partnership (landlord) for the term of July 1994 to June 1995.
Newsletter entitled, "Update" published by the Mayor's Council on Homelessness and Affordable Housing, Charleston Department of Housing and Economic Development, including a variety of housing articles.
Correspondence from Kenyon Cook, Sales Consultant for D. W. Duplicating Products, to Dwight James, President of the Charleston Branch of the NAACP, regarding a Mita DC-3785 copying system and after sales service.
The "Neighborhoods Energized to Win!" newsletter, "Energizer," Summer 1994, a component fund of the Community Foundation regarding the publishing organization and various neighborhood issues.
Charleston Branch of the NAACP statement of income and expense actual results for the fiscal year ending in 1994, including income and expense figures.
Charleston Branch of the NAACP statement of financial position, actual results for the fiscal year ending in 1994, including checking and equity figures.
Charleston Branch of the NAACP document, "Semiannual Financial Review," providing an income analysis, expense analysis, budget revisions, and conclusion for January through June, 1994.
Correspondence from Stephen Skardon, Jr., Executive Director for the Palmetto Project, to Dwight C. James, President of the Charleston Chapter of the NAACP, regarding a dinner Sand Dunes Club on Sullivan's Island. Enclosed map of Sullivan's Island.
Correspondence from James W. Etheredge, Director for the Department of Administrative Services for the City of Charleston, to Dwight C. James, President of the Charleston Branch of the NAACP, regarding "Minority Business Enterprise Program Spending." Enclosed first and second quarter of 1994 "Controllable Expenditures."
Correspondence from Senator Robert Ford (Democrat, Charleston) to James Edwards, President of the Medical University of South Carolina, regarding the Medical University's "organization structure pursuant to affording the African American citizenry of this state with sufficient and equal opportunities for participation."
Correspondence from Jesse L. Bowers, V. P. SCETV, to Rodney Williams, Charleston Branch of the NAACP, regarding set decoration for The Gubernatorial Debate.
Correspondence from Dwight C. James, President of the Charleston Branch of the NAACP, to Ron Laughlin of American Telephone and Telegraph regarding the 1994 Freedom Fund Drive.
Correspondence from James B. Edwards, President of the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), to Dwight C. James, President of the Charleston Branch of the NAACP, regarding the 1994 Freedom Fund Drive.
Correspondence from Constance Barnes, Dinner Coordinator for the Freedom Fund Dinner, to Dwight C. James, President of the Charleston Branch of the NAACP, regarding the 16th Annual Freedom Fund Dinner.
Correspondence from Maurice Washington, Honorary Chairperson for the 1994 Freedom Fund Drive, to Sam Goodson of Albright and Wilson Americas, Inc. regarding the 1994 Freedom Fund Drive.
Correspondence from Bruce Manigo, Interim Chairman of the Labor & Industry Committee, Charleston Branch of the NAACP to Phillip Scott regarding assistance of the North Charleston Branch of the NAACP in resolving Scott's complaint.
Correspondence from Bruce Manigo, Interim Chairman of the Labor & Industry Committee, Charleston Branch of the NAACP to Derrick Lee requesting Lee to contact the Labor & Industry Committee's office.
Letter from Barbara Kingston, Secretary of the Charleston Branch of the NAACP to Isazetta Spikes, Membership Director of the NAACP, regarding "two discrepancies to report."
Memorandum from Paul McKnight, ACT-SO Committee Chairperson to 1994 National ACT-SO Contestants, regarding departure and awards for the national competition.
Correspondence from Dwight C. James, President of the Charleston Branch of the NAACP, to Benjamin Wright regarding the 78th Anniversary Freedom Fund Banquet.
Correspondence from Dwight C. James, President of the Charleston Branch of the NAACP, to George Scott of Exalted Ruler regarding 1994 Freedom Fund Drive.
Minutes for Armed Services and Veterans Affairs Committee meeting, outlining topics such as membership and a "NAACP Report on Discrimination in the Military and Defense School."
