Avery Institute of Afro-American History & Culture
(AIAAHC)

On May 17, 2009, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., the Avery Institute will sponsor the 4th Annual Fundraising Jazz Gala to benefit the Avery Research Center.

The Gala will feature the melodic sounds of vocalist Nicole Henry, Allan Harris, and the masterful playing of musician Quentin Baxter.It will be held at picturesque Alhambra Hall in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.

We want to encourage you, your friends and colleagues to join us in supporting a worthy and important community event, as we celebrate an emerging Charleston tradition.

We would like your sponsorship and support for this event. Please help in our endeavor. As a sponsor you will receive recognition for your generosity at the Gala.

Individual tickets for the event may be purchased. They are $50.00 per person and include hot and cold hors d'oeuvres. We will also have a cash bar. Simply put, there is no better way to enjoy a night out, enjoying the sun setting over the waterfront, and listening to the flow of jazz.

Please remember, all contributions are tax deductible. We would love to have you join us for this wonderful event.
For information email:
Leila Potts-Campbell: campbelll@cofc.edu or call: 843.953.7615

If you cannot be with us for the Jazz Gala, please consider making a tax deductible contribution to the Avery Research Center and/or becoming a MEMBER of the AIAAHC.
For more information about AIAAHC membership contact:
Leila Potts-Campbell: campbelll@cofc.edu or 843.953.7615

Avery Institute of Afro-American
History and Culture

Board Members
2008-2009

Walter Brown, Jr.
President

Mary Miller
Vice President

Catherine Boags
Treasurer

Leila Potts-Campbell,
Membership Committee Chair

Stephen Hoffius,
Editor, Avery Messenger

Benjamin Anderson
John Buncum
Virginia Morgan
Priscilla McLeod Robinson
Harold Singletary
Teresa Smith
Nola Wright Taylor

About the Avery Insitute of Afro-American History & Culture (AIAAHC)

In 1978, a group of Avery graduates (Averyites) and friends of Avery organized The Avery Institute of Afro-American History and Culture. Its purpose was to obtain the old Avery Normal School buildings and establish in them an archives and museum dedicated to preserving Afro-American history and culture in the South Carolina Lowcountry. Its first president was the Honorable Lucille S. Whipper, a former member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from Charleston County.

To fullfill its long term goals, the organization realized it had to affiliate with an academic institution. The College of Charleston provided that link. The two groups jointly sought and obtained a federal planning grant in 1981 to plan programs and explore future options. Out of the planning grant came the concept of a center, "a cooperative project of the Avery Institute of Afro-American History and Culture and the College of Charleston." The College subsequently deeded the 123 and 125 Bull Street properties.

In 1985, The Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture was established as part of the academic program of the College of Charleston. Despite delays caused by the ravages of Hurricane Hugo (September 21, 1989), the grand opening of the building took place on October 6, 1990. After twelve years of strenuous effort, the Avery Institute of Afro-American History and Culture saw its dream finally realized.

Today the Avery Institute is a separate non-profit organization and provides support to the Center's programs and operations, as well as assisting the Center in acquiring archival collections.