» The Avery Family Reunion: MyHBCU

The Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture has been an integral part of the Lowcountry community since its inception as the Avery Normal Institute in 1865. Born during the post-war era when many schools were created to bring education to African Americans, the Avery Normal Institute served as a hub in the Charleston community for Black Excellence for nearly 90 years. The Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture continues to build upon that foundation through its mission to collect, preserve, and promote the unique history and culture of the African diaspora.

To celebrate the opening of another academic year and to pay honor to the institutions founded to uplift the Black community, the Avery Research Center will host The Avery Family Reunion: MyHBCU on August 28, 2022. To reach over 2,000 people from across the Lowcountry, this daylong celebration will highlight local music, cuisine, art, artisans, business owners, and the Gullah Geechee Culture. Join us as we celebrate the legacy of Black education and support the Avery Research Center by becoming a sponsor. Proceeds support the Center’s work to preserve the legacy of the Avery Normal Institute and educate the community on the history and culture of African Americans in Charleston, the South Carolina Lowcountry, and South Carolina at large.