Podcast Description:

Black librarianship in America has a long, overlooked history, one shaped by pioneers, segregation-era barriers, and ongoing struggles for equity and visibility. In this episode of Avery Messager, we trace key milestones in Black librarianship and explore how libraries and Black bookstores have served as sites of community, knowledge, and resistance.

You’ll hear from Rodney Freeman Jr., librarian and executive producer of the documentary Are You a Librarian? The Untold Story of Black Librarians, on why he started documenting what he calls “silent erasure” and how the public can support the film ahead of its 2026 release.

We also sit down with Katie Mitchell, storyteller and bookseller, to discuss her debut book Prose to the People: A Celebration of Black Bookstores, including why she distinguishes Black bookstores vs. Black-owned bookstores, and what her research reveals about the targeted threats Black bookstores have faced.

Time Stamps / Chapters:

00:00 Welcome + Episode 5 overview (The Avery Messenger)

00:33 Phillis Wheatley Literary & Social Club + USPS stamp unveiling

01:03 Remembering Ms. Tammy McCottry

01:32 What’s ahead: Black librarianship + Black bookstores

01:54 Timeline: Black librarianship pioneers (brief survey)

07:40 ALA 2025 report + questions about inconsistent data

09:20 Guest intro: Rodney Freeman Jr. + documentary overview

10:09 Why he created Are You a Librarian? (erasure + missing history)

14:16 Choosing interviewees + perspectives across librarianship

16:21 Libraries growing up + comics + representation

19:22 Future of libraries: AI, access, and community

22:35 How to support the documentary (2026 screenings + sharing)

24:02 Guest intro: Katie Mitchell + Prose to the People

28:09 “Black bookstore” vs “Black-owned bookstore”

30:00 Targeted threats to Black bookstores + historical examples

35:03 Research process + archives

35:54 South Carolina spotlight + announcements + next episode teaser

Resources:

The Stacks Speaks https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bz962vrrsNI

Phillis Wheatly Stamp Unveiling https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljoQn21Ds-I

Hashtags:

#BlackLibrarianship #BlackBookstores #LibraryHistory

Keywords:
black librarianship in america

history of black librarians

black librarians documentary

are you a librarian documentary

rodney freeman jr librarian

african american library history

diversity in librarianship report

future of libraries and AI

black bookstores history

prose to the people book

katie mitchell black bookstores

black bookstores vs black owned bookstores

banned books and black literature

libraries community building

documenting is resistance

Book clubs and banned books are shaping how communities read, learn, and push back against censorship—especially when reading becomes a shared, collective practice.

In this episode of Avery Messenger, hosts Georgette Mayo and D’Aujai Kelly explore the legacy and impact of Black-led reading communities, from Charleston’s longstanding Phillis Wheatley Literary and Social Club archives to the Dr. Consuela Francis Reading Circle and its 10-year milestone.

You’ll also hear from OlaRonke Akinmowo, founder/director of the Free Black Women’s Library in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, and George M. Johnson, award-winning author of All Boys Aren’t Blue, on why storytelling matters—and what it takes to resist book bans and censorship.

Links From Podcast:

Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture website: https://avery.charleston.edu

Last Call for Proposals: “Those Who Have, Must Turn Around and Give:” Celebrating 40 Years of Preserving Black History and Education,” https://avery.charleston.edu/cfp_avery_mellon/

AMN 1031: Phillis Wheatley Literary and Social Club records on the Lowcountry Digital Library: https://lcdl.library.cofc.edu/content/phillis-wheatley-literary-and-social-club-papers/

Dr. Conseula Francis Reading Circle: Red Island House with author Andrea Lee: YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-phSMuxVrPc

Article from the National Endowment for the Arts: “Federal Date on Reading for Pleasure: All Signs Show a Slump” by Sunil Iyengar.

OlaRonke Akinmowo and The Free Black Women’s Library: https://www.thefreeblackwomenslibrary.com

Charleston City Paper article: “Activists say book bans infringe on free speech,” by Maura Hogan. Dated 3 October 2025. https://charlestoncitypaper.com/2025/10/03/activists-say-book-bans-infringe-on-free-speech/

George M. Johnson website: https://iamgmjohnson.com

Time Stamps / Chapters:

00:56 Why book clubs matter: community + critical thinking

01:46 Phillis Wheatley Literary & Social Club (Avery archives)

03:30 Dr. Consuela Francis Reading Circle: origins + 10-year milestone

06:08 Zoom era: expanded reach + author conversations

08:18 Interview begins: OlaRonke Akinmowo + Free Black Women’s Library

14:04 From traveling library to storefront (5,000+ books)

18:08 Mutual aid in action: period pantry, free store, garden + care

22:53 Censorship + banned books: why cultural production matters

26:58 “Pretty Little Brick”: Black women writers collective + limited edition

34:08 George M. Johnson intro: All Boys Aren’t Blue + banned books context

36:03 Writing origins + Toni Morrison influence

41:22 Writing as liberation + chosen family + supporting youth

48:13 Book bans reality: activism, ideology, and impact

59:45 Subverting censorship: gifting books + “resource center” strategy

01:02:49 Announcements + acknowledgments + upcoming episodes

Hosts

D'Aujai Kelley – Co-Host, The Avery Messenger Podcast
Georgette Mayo – Processing Archivist, Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture

Guests

Deborah Wright – Retired Reference Librarian and Administrator, Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture; Former Editor of The Avery Messenger

Dr. Dale Rosengarten, Ph.D. – Scholar of Sweetgrass (Lowcountry) Basket Making; Co-Creator of Grassroots: African Origins of an American Art

Contributors

DaNia Childress – Podcast Editor
Georgette Mayo
P.J. Kelly

Sponsor

Andrew Mellon Foundation

Episode Summary

This episode presents two in-depth conversations that highlight the importance of oral history, archival preservation, and cultural legacy at the Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture.

The first segment features an oral history interview with Deborah Wright, who reflects on her upbringing in Brooklyn, New York, her academic training and international research experiences, and her long career at Avery. Wright discusses her many roles at the Center, including Reference Archivist, Director of Special Projects, Associate Director, Interim Director (briefly), and Editor of The Avery Messenger. She also shares the history and evolution of The Avery Messenger publication and emphasizes the role of oral history in preserving institutional memory.

The second segment introduces a new recurring series, “Conversations with Our Donors,” featuring Dr. Dale Rosengarten. Dr. Rosengarten discusses the history and cultural significance of Lowcountry Sweetgrass basket making, the development of the traveling exhibition Grassroots: African Origins of an American Art, and her decision to donate extensive research and exhibition materials to the Avery Research Center for future scholarship and public access.

Timestamped Breakdown

[00:00:00 – 00:01:28] Introduction and Episode Overview
[00:01:28 – 00:09:03] Oral History Interview with Deborah Wright: Early Life, Museums, and Archives
[00:09:03 – 00:12:32] Deborah Wright’s Journey to the Avery Research Center and Roles Held
[00:12:32 – 00:19:54] The History and Evolution of The Avery Messenger
[00:19:55 – 00:26:47] Influential Colleagues, Community Impact, and Global Connections
[00:26:47 – 00:32:21] Oral History Projects and Avery’s Role in Shaping Archives
[00:32:21 – 00:34:32] Introduction of “Conversations with Our Donors”
[00:34:32 – 00:41:22] Sweetgrass Basket Making: History and Significance
[00:41:22 – 00:53:54] The Grassroots Exhibition and International Research
[00:53:54 – 01:04:37] Challenges Facing Basket Makers and Cultural Preservation
[01:04:38 – 01:08:47] Donating Collections to Avery and Future Impact
[01:08:47 – 01:10:05] Announcements, Credits, and Closing Remarks

Key Themes

Oral history and institutional memory
Archival preservation and donor partnerships
African American cultural continuity
Lowcountry and Gullah Geechee traditions
Community-based scholarship
The role of the Avery Research Center in global historical research

Keywords

Avery Research Center, Avery Messenger Podcast, Deborah Wright, Dale Rosengarten, Sweetgrass baskets, Lowcountry history, African American archives, oral history, Grassroots exhibition, Gullah Geechee culture, Mount Pleasant South Carolina, Charleston history, archival preservation, museum education

Hashtags

#AveryResearchCenter #AveryMessengerPodcast #AfricanAmericanHistory
#OralHistory #SweetgrassBaskets #LowcountryHistory
#GullahGeechee #ArchivalPreservation #MuseumEducation
#BlackHistory #CulturalPreservation

References & Resources

Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture — avery.charleston.edu
Grassroots: African Origins of an American Art
Podcast Archive: Apple Podcasts, iHeart, YouTube

Saving the Avery and the Formation of the Avery Institute of Afro American History and Culture

Hosts:
Georgette Mayo – Processing Archivist at the Avery Research Center
D’Aujai Kelley – Education Coordinator, Avery Research Center

Guest:
Dr. Millicent E. Brown – Director of Education and Exhibits, Educator, Activist, and former Education & Public Programs Specialist at the Avery Research Center; Author of Another Sojourner Looking for Truth: My Journey from Civil Rights to Black Power and Beyond

Contributors:
Nate Hubler, Veer Mehta, Georgette Mayo, Sasha Bozanic, DaNia Childress, and D’Aujai Kelley
Sponsor:
Andrew W. Mellon Foundation

Episode Summary
This episode explores the final years and closure of the Avery Normal Institute in 1954, its legacy, and the transition that led to the founding of the Avery Institute of Afro-American History and Culture. The hosts discuss what happened after the school closed, the fight to preserve the historic building, and the evolution of the institution into today’s Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture.
The episode includes an in-depth interview with Dr. Millicent E. Brown, who shares her personal connection to Avery, insights on its alumni (“Averyites”), the founding of the Avery Institute, and the challenges of preserving Black history and community memory.
The episode also features collection highlights showcasing early exhibits and archival materials from the Avery Research Center.

Timestamped Breakdown
[00:00:00 – 00:01:03] Introduction and Episode Overview
[00:01:03 – 00:01:53] Hosts' Personal Reflections
[00:01:53 – 00:04:40] Historical Overview: Closure of the Avery Normal Institute
[00:04:41 – 00:09:21] Protests, Merger Attempts, and the Fate of the Building
[00:09:21 – 00:14:18] Who Are Averyites? Notable Alumni & Formation of the Avery Institute
[00:14:18 – 00:46:10] Interview with Dr. Millicent E. Brown
[00:46:19 – 00:49:27] Collection Highlights
[00:49:27 – 00:50:46] Final Clarifications & Closing Remarks

Key Themes
Preserving Black educational institutions
Jim Crow era education
Civil rights activism
Institutional memory & legacy preservation
Charleston’s racial and cultural history
The transformation from Avery School → Avery Institute → Avery Research Center

Keywords
Avery Normal Institute, Avery Research Center, African American history, Charleston history, civil rights, desegregation, Black education, Averyites, Gullah Geechee, archival preservation, NAACP, Brown v. Board, Black Power, Lowcountry history, museum education, American Missionary Association

Hashtags
#AveryNormalInstitute #AveryResearchCenter #AfricanAmericanHistory #CharlestonHistory #CivilRights #BlackEducation #Averyites #GullahGeechee #SouthCarolinaHistory #BrownvBoard #NAACP #BlackPower #BlackHistory #MuseumEducation #LowcountryHistory

References & Resources
Initiative, Paternalism, and Race Relations: Charleston's Avery Normal Institute — Edmund L. Drago

South Carolina Equalization Schools — scequalizationschools.org (Research by Rebekah Dobrasko)

Another Sojourner Looking for Truth — Dr. Millicent E. Brown

Avery Research Center — avery.charleston.edu

Avery Institute of Afro-American History and Culture — averyinstitute.us

Podcast Archive: Apple Podcasts, iHeart, YouTube

In this episode of The Avery Messenger Podcast, host D’Aujai Kelley and co-host Georgette Mayo, Processing Archivist at the Avery Research Center, explore the story of the Avery Normal Institute, Charleston’s pioneering school for African-American education.

Drawing on historic records and a conversation with guest Daron Lee Calhoun II (scholar, organizer, and former Charleston County School District trustee), the episode traces Avery’s evolution from its 1865 founding through the Civil Rights era. You’ll hear how Francis Cardozo, Benjamin F. Cox, and the American Missionary Association shaped generations of educators and activists; how Avery students helped catalyze Black-led public schools in Charleston; and how its legacy endures today.

Calhoun also discusses the research journey behind The Cross, the Candle, and the Crown: A Narrative History of Morehouse College, 1867–2021, and examines philanthropic influence on Black education. DaNia Childress (Project Director, Mellon Grant) leads the interview segment.

Avery Normal School history: excerpts from booklet: A History of Avery Normal Institute from 1856 to 1954 by Edmund L. Drago and Eugene Hunt, PhDs.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Welcome & introduction by D’Aujai Kelley and Georgette Mayo
00:35 – Origins of Avery Normal Institute (1865–1868)
01:23 – Francis Cardozo’s leadership & Reconstruction headwinds
02:27 – Dedication of Avery; classical, college-prep curriculum
03:16 – Tuition challenges & breaking pre-war racial barriers
04:08 – Growth under the AMA and Principal Morrison A. Holmes
04:47 – Benjamin F. Cox becomes first permanent Black principal
05:29 – All-Black faculty tradition, student life, and culture
06:38 – Glee Club, athletics, and rising Black intellectual life
07:11 – NAACP petition for Black teachers in Charleston schools
08:20 – WWII era; transition from private to public education
09:41 – Closure (1954) and continuing legacy into Civil Rights
10:12 – 1916 photo of Benjamin F. Cox & its symbolism
11:11 – Guest introduction: Daron Lee Calhoun II
12:14 – Calhoun’s background & community leadership
13:07 – Researching The Cross, the Candle, and the Crown
14:29 – Philanthropy & control: Rockefeller’s influence
16:10 – Calhoun’s Morehouse story & research spark
17:18 – Alumni-powered fundraising at Avery & Morehouse
18:28 – Community role in sustaining Avery’s mission
19:16 – “Elitist” perceptions & classical vs. industrial education
21:27 – AMA’s post-war education objectives
22:09 – Rise of HBCUs & teacher-training models
23:14 – Avery’s pipeline to AMA-affiliated colleges
25:09 – How Avery safeguarded curricular autonomy
27:36 – Significance of an all-Black faculty
28:31 – Why Avery remained a training school (not a college)
30:01 – Avery’s lasting legacy in Black education & culture
30:55 – Closing & thanks to the Mellon Foundation

The Avery Messenger is a continuation of the work of former executive director Karen Chandler who created the Avery Messenger in 2003. The newsletter coincided with the 50th Anniversary planning of the last class of the Avery High School. Prior to the Avery Messenger the Avery Institute of Afro American History and Culture published the Avery Bulletin as its outreach arm to inform on the progress securing 125 Bull St and reaching former Averyites. As we embark on the next chapter of the Avery Research Center we are reaching in our past to bring to you the present work on the legacy built on a spirt that would not die in discussing Black education, preservation and documenting present issues in the Charleston