This Monday, June 17th will mark four years since the tragic Mother Emanuel AME Church shooting.
Each year, the Mother Emanuel AME Church, the City of Charleston, and Charleston County Public Libraries host a series of commemorative events to honor the nine men and women who lost their lives, and in hopes to bridge the gap between ethnic groups in the community.
A collaborative effort by local community organizations + residents, this year’s schedule of events runs from June 12 - June 17, with each event providing the opportunity for an open dialogue about unity among all races.
Food Drive for the Lowcountry Food Bank | Now through June 29 | Cynthia Hurd / St. Andrews Library, 1735 N. Woodmere Dr., West Ashley | Bring non-perishable items to donate to the Lowcountry Food Bank.
Reading Partners Book Drive | Now through June 29 | Charleston County Public Libraries, all locations | Donate new or gently used children’s books for students in kindergarten to fifth grade. Held in honor of librarian Cynthia Graham Hurd, who worked in the region’s public libraries for more than 30 years.
“A Moment of Silence…to Love” Display | June 17-22 | John L. Dart Library, 1067 King St. | Visitors can post notes of gratitude to someone special.
Pledge to Read for Kids and Teens | June 17-22 | Charleston County Public Libraries, all locations | “Visitors can stop by any library location to sign a reading pledge. Children and teens will receive a free book from the Cynthia Graham Hurd Foundation while supplies last.”
Stick Together: Community Art Project | June 17-29 | Charleston County Public Libraries, all locations | “The public can help assemble a 3,996-piece sticker mosaic. Appropriate for all ages.”
The Life and Legacy of Cynthia Graham Hurd Exhibit | Now through June 30 | Charleston County Public Library, 68 Calhoun St. | An ongoing exhibit featuring photos of Cynthia Graham Hurd.
Wednesday | June 12
Bible Study | 6 p.m. | Mother Emanuel AME Church, 110 Calhoun St. | To be co-facilitated by the Reverend Eric Manning and the Reverend Anthony Thompson, husband of Mrs. Myra Thompson – one of the Emanuel 9. After, 15 cherry tree trunks that were planted for the victims + survivors will be lit, and will continue to be until the end of the nine commemoration events.
Thursday | June 13
The Susie Jackson/Ethel Lance Senior Citizens Luncheon | 11 a.m. | Mother Emanuel AME Church, 110 Calhoun St. | Senior members of Mother Emanuel AME Church will hold a lunch honoring Susie Jackson + Ethel Lance — two members of the church’s senior group who were of the victims of the tragedy.
Friday | June 14
Youth Empowerment Session: “Your Mind Matters” | 9 a.m. | Mother Emanuel AME Church, 110 Calhoun St. | Barbara H. Whye — Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer + Vice President of Human Resources for Intel Corporation — will lead a four-hour workshop for sixth-tenth grade students to build their self-esteem + empowerment skills that will help them personally and professionally.
Saturday | June 15
Book Signing + Author Talk by Rev. Sharon Risher | 11 a.m. | Charleston County Public Library | Rev. Sharon Risher — daughter of Ethel Lance — will host a signing + talk for her book, “For Such a Time as This: Hope and Forgiveness After the Charleston Massacre.” The inspiring story remembers the journey to forgiveness in such a dark time and the connection with other victims + survivors of gun-related violence.
Sunday | June 16
Joint Worship Service | 9 a.m. | Mother Emanuel AME Church | 110 Calhoun St. | This special Father’s Day Bible service, hosted by Rev. Eric Manning + Rev. Anthony Thompson, will honor 15 individuals who will be awarded Outstanding Service Awards in the area of Emergency and Caring Response.
The Charleston Forum Expo | 1 p.m. | Charleston Bus Shed | “The Expo will provide an opportunity for nonprofits with compatible missions addressing issues of race and social justice to share their stories with the public. Nonprofit organizations will be provided with free space to display information in the hope that each partner is able to find new volunteers, donors and followers to help guide their mission, as well as begin collaborations with similar entities leading to synergies and shared efforts.” Vendors, non-profits + businesses can register for the Expo here.
The 3rd Annual Charleston Forum | 4 p.m. | Charleston Music Hall | $5 | “The Charleston Forum addresses sensitive issues of everyday life in a welcoming environment. The Forum encourages community members to share their perspectives and to serve as an open and respectful audience for others. This honest exchange among leaders from different backgrounds and among interested citizens is essential for significant progress. The Forum will advance the collective march to solutions in honor of the nine lives taken on June 17, 2015.
The 4th Annual “Morning Grace” Gospel Concert | 6:30 p.m. | Mother Emanuel AME Church, 110 Calhoun St.
Monday | June 17
A Day of Family Remembrance | 7 p.m. | No scheduled events at the church.
Love and Peace Beads | 3:30 p.m. | Charleston County Public Libraries, all branches | “Catered to young adults, visitors to this event can create a band of love or peace for themselves or for others. Materials will be provided.”
Emanuel Nine Documentary Public Premiere | 7 p.m. | Filmed in the homes of victims’ family members and inside Mother Emanuel AME Church, the 75-minute award-winning documentary “Emanuel” was directed by Brian Ivie and Academy Award winner Viola Davis, a native of St. Matthews, and NBA basketball star Steph Curry as executive producers.
Participating locations and screen times:
- Terrace Theater: 7:00 p.m., 1956D Maybank Highway on James Island
- Regal Palmetto Grande Stadium 16: 7:00 p.m., 319 Theatre Drive in Mount Pleasant
- Regal Charles Towne Square 18: 7:00 p.m., 2401 Mall Drive in North Charleston
Register to see the documentary here.
Tuesday | June 18
Book Signing and Author Talk by Rev. Anthony B. Thompson | 5 + 6 p.m. | Charleston County Public Library, 68 Calhoun St. | “In Called to Forgive: The Charleston Church Shooting, A Victim’s Husband, and the Path to Healing and Peace, Thompson makes an eloquent and intelligent case for Christian forgiveness, and his account of his pain, anger and recovery as the spouse of one of the murdered [Myra Singleton Quarles Thompson] brings emotional immediacy to the story.”
Wednesday | June 19
“Prayers for America” Bible Study and Candlelight Service | 6:30 p.m. | Gaillard Center Lawn
Emanuel Nine Documentary Public Premiere | 7 p.m. | Filmed in the homes of victims’ family members and inside Mother Emanuel AME Church, the 75-minute award-winning documentary “Emanuel” was directed by Brian Ivie and Academy Award winner Viola Davis, a native of St. Matthews, and NBA basketball star Steph Curry as executive producers.
Participating locations and screen times:
- Terrace Theater: 7:00 p.m., 1956D Maybank Highway on James Island
- Regal Palmetto Grande Stadium 16: 7:00 p.m., 319 Theatre Drive in Mount Pleasant
- Regal Charles Towne Square 18: 7:00 p.m., 2401 Mall Drive in North Charleston
Thursday | June 20
“Calling All Colors” Youth Forum | 8:30 a.m. | Mother Emanuel AME Church, 110 Calhoun St.; Buist Academy, 103 Calhoun St.; Citadel Square Baptist Church, 328 Meeting St. | “Mother Emanuel AME Church and the Charleston arts community present a one-day camp for students to celebrate diversity and pursue racial reconciliation by discussing stereotypes and other race-related issues. The program will include brainstorming ways to promote ethnic openness and experiencing different cultures through art. The camp offers two age groups: 10-14 and 15-18.” Register here.
Sunday | June 23
Book Signing + Author Talk by Rev. Sharon Risher | 1 p.m. | Charleston County Public Library, 68 Calhoun St. | Rev. Sharon Risher — daughter of Ethel Lance — will host a signing + talk for her book, “For Such a Time as This: Hope and Forgiveness After the Charleston Massacre.” The inspiring story remembers the journey to forgiveness in such a dark time and the connection with other victims + survivors of gun-related violence.