Mellon Foundation Awards $750,000 Grant to the International African American Museum

The International African American Museum (IAAM) in Charleston, South Carolina, has received a $750,000 grant from the Mellon Foundation, furthering the museum’s objective to become a leading international connector and crusader within the African American and Black Diaspora. 

Officials said the gift, the latest in a series of significant contributions, will support IAAM’s ambitious initiatives to link points of departure and arrival of the Transatlantic slave trade, beginning with a deepened partnership with Barbados. 

Officials said the new grant brings the Mellon Foundation’s lifetime giving to IAAM to $2.9 million, underscoring their unwavering commitment to the museum and its shared mission.

As a Founding Donor, the Mellon Foundation’s support has been instrumental in establishing IAAM as a vital cultural institution, the officials said. 

“Inherent in IAAM’s mission and clearly stated in its name is the responsibility to articulate the African American experience within the broader context of the African diaspora,” said Malika Pryor, IAAM’s chief learning and engagement officer. “Whether at Gadsden’s Wharf on the Port of Charleston or in Bridgetown, Barbados, the cultural journey of captured African people did not begin on American shores.” 

Pryor added, “With this incredibly generous support from the Mellon Foundation, IAAM can further trace the journey and continue to link the passages and pathways of people who are too often separated by time and languished relationality. This initiative will further reveal that we were always and have remained connected, that despite borders marked by land and sea, the people were and remain transcendent.” 

The $750,000 grant will fund key initiatives, including: 

• Strengthening the IAAM-Barbados Partnership: IAAM will collaborate with the government of Barbados to develop the cultural arts initiatives, create fellowship programs connecting HBCUs with international institutions, and launch cultural heritage tours exploring shared cultural expressions like culinary, dance, and music.

This builds upon the memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed between IAAM and Barbados in  October 2023. 

• Acquiring Bunce Island Stones for the African Ancestors Memorial Garden: IAAM  aims to acquire and preserve stones from Bunce Island, Sierra Leone, a significant departure point for African captives.

This initiative will document the acquisition process, highlight the island’s historical significance, capture oral histories from local griots, and produce an educational film. Officials said this will help transform Charleston into a pilgrimage destination. 

• Developing a Traveling International Festive Culture Exhibition: The creation of a traveling International Festive Culture Exhibition, which will explore the vibrant and rich  festive traditions that have been essential to African diasporic communities for centuries. The exhibition intends to shed light on the intricate and often neglected stories associated with these festive customs, providing a detailed and nuanced appreciation of their importance with a focus on Barbados, Brazil, Cuba, Haiti, the United Kingdom, and other sites of significance within the Festive Culture legacy. 

Columbia Metropolitan Airport Gains Nonstop Flights to Newark, Orlando, and Fort Lauderdale 

Spirit Airlines announced March 5, 2025, that it will touch down in the heart of South Carolina this June with new service at Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE). 

The carrier will offer nonstop service to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) and nonstop flights to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and Orlando International Airport (MCO), the airport nearest to Orlando's major theme parks and attractions. 

Spirit's all-Airbus fleet will take off from CAE for the first time on June 5, with travel options ranging from premium to economical.

Those traveling between Columbia (CAE) and Fort Lauderdale (FLL), Newark (EWR) and Orlando (MCO) can take advantage of an introductory fare starting at $50 one-way for travel from June 5 through Aug. 12, 2025. 

Tickets must be purchased 14 days in advance to be eligible. The special introductory fares are available for purchase through March 20, 2025.

Spirit officials say no Fri/Sun travel is permitted and blackout dates are July 2, 2025, through July 7, 2025. 

"We're excited to kick off our Columbia service just in time for summer and deliver a great value to visit some of the most popular leisure destinations along the East Coast," said John Kirby, vice president of network planning at Spirit Airlines.

"Securing three nonstop routes on Spirit Airlines is a significant accomplishment for the airport and likewise a big win for this entire community and region," said Gregg Hornsby, interim president and CEO and CFO at Columbia Metropolitan Airport. 

The airline first launched its South Carolina service at Myrtle Beach (MYR) more than 25 years ago and later added Charleston (CHS) to its route map in 2023.

Vicki Blair of South Carolina Dept. of Public Health Named Recipient of 2025 Ann DeBock Leadership Award

Leadership Grand Strand (LGS) announced Vicki Blair, public health manager for Rabies Control and Prevention at the S.C. Dept. of Public Health, as the recipient of the 2025 Ann DeBock Leadership Award. 

Each year, the recognition is given to a LGS graduate who exhibits outstanding leadership and service to their community.

“While we had incredible nominees put forth for this award, Vicki truly stood out for the many contributions she has made to our Grand Strand community,” said LGS Executive Director Shannon Furtick.

Blair graduated LGS in 2004, and her professional accolades include the Roscoe S. Poovey Award for Outstanding Achievements in Environmental Health, the Certificate of Merit from the National Environmental Health Association, and the Environmentalist of the Year from the S.C. Public Health Association. 

Additionally, she’s held leadership roles in the S.C. Environmental Health Association and the S.C. Public Health Association.

A resident of Surfside Beach, Blair has served her community through numerous volunteer positions over the past four decades, including positions with Surfside Beach Planning and Zoning, Surfside Town Council, Grand Strand Ethics Commission, Horry County Higher Education Commission, Coastal Carolina University, Surfside United Methodist Church, Upward Basketball, South Strand Kiwanis, Grand Strand Miracle League, South Carolina Children’s Museum, and the Humane Society of North Myrtle Beach.

“My desire to serve others began in my early years as a YMCA summer camp counselor, a role that brought me immense joy and fulfillment as I witnessed the YMCA’s mission in action and the transformative impact it had on individuals. My faith has carried me throughout my career and personal life,” Blair said.

The three other finalists were Mark Kiskunas, owner and president, Grand Strand Bojangles, Class 21; Bevelyn Mitchell, retired, former sexual assault services coordinator and outreach and awareness coordinator of Horry County Rape Crisis Center and former assistant director of interpersonal violence prevention at Coastal Carolina University, Class 28; and Pam Wright, business development sales manager, Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, Class 36.

The Ann DeBock Leadership Award began 27 years ago to honor Ann DeBock, LGS’s first executive director from 1979 to 1998. 

Blair was nominated for the award by current students of LGS Class 45 Alexis Barnhill, Trevor Bigham, Howard Bromberg, Wendy Evans, Joe Heyd, Kathryn Lane, Clare McLaurin, James Schlueter, and Teresa Taylor.

Leadership Grand Strand is a nine-month program sponsored by the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce that provides a broad curriculum designed to develop a corps of informed, committed, and qualified individuals capable of providing dynamic leadership.

SCETV Presents Inaugural NextLens Online Film Festival, Showcasing South Carolina's Brightest Young Filmmakers

South Carolina ETV (SCETV) is presenting this year’s featured films in the inaugural NextLens Online Film Festival.

NextLens showcases the talent, creativity and vision of emerging filmmakers age 16 and up. Designed to highlight the voices of the next generation, NextLens gives aspiring filmmakers from across South Carolina a chance to be seen, celebrated and recognized in the ever-evolving world of media.

Featured films and filmmakers in the NextLens Online Film Festival include:

Gene Meree: The Sea Dog of Folly Beach 

Filmmaker: Leah Pedersen, Trident Technical College

Gene Meree is a legendary figure from Folly Beach, South Carolina. Learn about his love for kiteboarding and his deep respect for the waves.

Beyond the Web: Banana Spiders 

Filmmaker: Ethan Jones, Trident Technical College

Peer into the tiny world of the Golden Orb Weavers of South Carolina. Uncover their lifestyles as one’s hunting and eating schedule is captured, undisturbed and unwavering.

Too Close to the Sun  

Filmmaker: Ally Lashay, Savannah College of Art and Design

Follow an eldest daughter grappling with the effects of losing her wings young and deciding if she will allow that trauma to be passed down to her little sister.

The Wonders of Space  

Filmmaker: Micah Rhoades, University of South Carolina

Doc Lightning Bug uses stop-motion animation to discuss space phenomena, the life of a bug, and the things that bring people together.

DAREDEVIL: The Video Game  

Filmmaker: Collin Grant Nettles, University of South Carolina

Explore the conventions of a third-person, story-driven video game in a film format.

Guilt Cake  

Filmmaker: Audrey Buffington, Wofford College

Things are already tense for siblings Cypress and Peter following their aunt’s funeral. As Cypress works to surprise their grieving mother with a family recipe, she butts heads with Peter, who wants their mother to sign a document helping him secure a new place to live. Explore grief, sibling relationships, familial duty and the beautiful and tragic nature of moving on.

Fitness Fibbage  

Filmmaker: Jonathan Yi, University of South Carolina

After being mistaken for a fitness instructor, Zoe Trentwell, an extreme people-pleaser, goes through a ridiculous improvisational yoga class in the park.

First of the Month 

Filmmaker: Fiona Schrier, University of South Carolina  

After a series of terrible shifts and impulse purchases leave her broke, struggling waitress Eve decides to throw a house party to make rent, but the chaos of a good party might be more than she can handle.

All eight films were scheduled to be available for viewing starting March 3 across SCETV's digital platforms, including scetv.org, YouTube, Facebook, the PBS app and the SCETV app.

In addition to being showcased online, filmmakers will receive certificates recognizing their achievement.

Officials said this festival not only highlights the unique perspectives of South Carolina’s young storytellers but also nurtures the future of media, showcasing talent that will shape the narrative of the digital era.

To view the films and find more information on NextLens, go to scetv.org/nextlens.