The South Carolina Archives & History Foundation, in collaboration with the SC African American Heritage Commission, the South Carolina Department of Archives & History, and South Carolina Humanities, is pleased to announce “Voices of Courage,” a special public event dedicated to sharing the powerful stories of Black South Carolinians who courageously fought against systems of oppression for a better future.
The event will take place on Saturday, August 8, 2026, at the SC Archives & History Center, located at 8301 Parklane Rd, Columbia, SC 29223. Registration opens at 9:30 AM, with admission priced at $10 per person and a discounted rate of $5 for students.
“Voices of Courage” will feature three compelling, research-driven presentations by prominent authors and historians who bring vital historical narratives to light:
Program Schedule
● 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM: “South Carolina’s Matilda Evans: A Medical Pioneer”
A prolific and award-winning author, Dr. Walter Curry brings to life the overlooked narrative of Dr. Matilda Evans’ extensive career as the first Black woman licensed to practice medicine in South Carolina and the foundational establishment of the Taylor Lane Hospital.
● 10:45 AM – 11:30 AM: “‘Payne-ful’ Business: Charleston’s Journey to Truth”
Author Margaret Seidler traces her journey after a late-in-life DNA test reveals distant cousins of African descent. Motivated by her ancestral search, she uncovers three generations of slave traders in her family, including William Payne, a giant in the domestic slave trade, alongside the story of a young runaway, Molly, sold by Payne.
● 11:45 AM – 12:30 PM: “The Cost of the Vote: George Elmore and the Battle for the Ballot”
Carolyn Click chronicles George Elmore and the activists and lawyers who challenged the all-white primary in South Carolina. Elmore, despite his successful court challenge, paid a steep personal price for his uncommon boldness in guaranteeing the right to vote.
The deadline to register for this event is August 6, 2026. Interested attendees are encouraged to secure their tickets online at pci.jotform.com/form/261556396857979. For registration assistance after the August 6 deadline, please contact Donna Foster directly at 803-896-0339. Registration Portal: pci.jotform.com/form/26