» Unveiling the Legacy of Avery: La’Nasa Clarkson

This is a part of an ongoing series featuring the reflections of past Avery Research Center employees, interns, and undergraduate and graduate students.

My time as a research assistant at The Avery was one of the most transformative experiences of my life. The Avery has long stood as a powerful symbol of resilience, education, and resistance. Being part of its mission to preserve and uplift Black history and culture was both an honor and a responsibility I carried with care.

At The Avery, I was surrounded by brilliant, like-minded individuals committed to challenging systems of oppression and reclaiming the narratives of Black communities, especially in Charleston. It was more than research, it was activism. The work was deeply personal, and it gave me the support and space to organize, advocate, and grow. I found community in people who believed in the power of voice and the necessity of disrupting structures that harmed us. That time shaped the foundation of who I am as a leader.

Today, I serve as the Chief of Staff at Voices for a Second Chance (VSC), a nonprofit organization based in Washington, DC that supports individuals impacted by incarceration. We provide direct services such as case management, housing support, workforce development, and behavioral health services, all grounded in a commitment to second chances and human dignity.

In my role, I oversee day-to-day operations and help drive our strategic goals, including managing our resource development work to ensure we remain sustainable, and client centered. The work is challenging and meaningful, just like it was at The Avery.

Both roles have required vision, accountability, and care. And both have shown me the transformative power of community, advocacy, and unwavering belief in a more just world.