June 1, 2021 – June 30, 2021

CYNTHIA GRAHAM HURD FOUNDATION BOOK DRIVE

Throughout the month of June, the book drive will collect new and gently used children’s books from the Charleston area. The books will be distributed through the Reading Partners’ network of tutors, who work with students in local schools to help improve literacy levels. This event is being sponsored by the Cynthia Graham Hurd Foundation, Reading Partners, WCSC TV, Berkeley County Library, and Mellow Mushroom. Individuals can drop off books at the following locations:

• • Charleston County Library Locations:
    • Dorchester Road Regional Library – 6325 DorchesterRoad, North Charleston
    • Main Library – 68 Calhoun Street, Charleston
    • Baxter Patrick/James Island – 1858 Grimball Road, Charleston
    • Wando/Mt. Pleasant – 1400 Carolina Park Blvd., Mt. Pleasant
    • Bees Ferry/West Ashley – 3035 Sanders Road, Charleston
    • John Dart – 1067 King Street, Charleston
  • Berkeley County Library Locations:
    • Daniel Island Library, 2301 Daniel Island Dr., Daniel Island
    • Hanahan Library, 1216 Old Murray Dr., Hanahan
    • Goose Creek Library, 325 Old Moncks Corner Rd, Goose Creek
  • Mellow Mushroom Restaurant Locations:
    • Mellow Mushroom North Charleston – 4855 Tanger Outlet Blvd., North Charleston
    • Mellow Mushroom West Ashley – 19 Magnolia Rd., Charleston

June 15, 2021 & June 22, 2021

CALLED TO FORGIVE, A BOOK STUDY WITH REV. ANTHONY THOMPSON
6-7:30pm

Join author Rev. Anthony Thompson in a crucial conversation about the Mother Emanuel tragedy and the possibilities of racial understanding and reconciliation, facilitated by Charleston Illumination Project Founder Margaret Seidler. Told in his own words, the heartbreaking story details his wife Myra’s murder in a senseless and terrifying act of pure, calculated hate. The book also reveals how Rev. Thompson forgave the racist young man who murdered her and helps the reader explore using forgiveness as a path to break down cultural and racial differences. Called to Forgive brings an eye-opening understanding of forgiveness and its role in creating unity and peace.

June 16, 2021

VIRTUAL BIBLE STUDY

6-7pm

The Wednesday Evening Bible Study will be co-facilitated by Reverend Anthony Thompson and Reverend Sharon Risher where the message will focus on forgiveness. This will be an evening of worship, remembrance and Bible study.

June 17, 2021

FORGIVENESS FORUM AND ROUND TABLE

6-9pm

This virtual forum with top-tier panelists explores what forgiveness means and its impact on the quality of life of individuals who have been victimized. Panelists include:

• Sarah Collins Rudolph: Motivational speaker, civil rights icon, and survivor of the 16th Street Church Bombing in Birmingham, Alabama in 1963.
• Kadi Diallo: Author, social activist, public speaker, and mother of Amado Diallo, who was shot 41 times by four white New York police officers as he attempted to enter his apartment on the morning of February 4, 1999.
• Rabbi Jeffrey Myers: Rabbi of the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh who survived the massacre on October 27, 2018.
• Dr. Kameelah Martin: Author, director, professor of African American studies and English and Dean of the Graduate School at the College of Charleston. Dr. Martin served as assistant editor and book review editor of the College Language Association Journal, co-editor of The Lemonade Reader, an interdisciplinary collection that explores the nuances of Lemonade, Beyonce’s 2016 visual album.
• Dr. Tracy D. Snipe: Author and professor in the School of Public and International Affairs at Wright State University. Dr. Snipe authored the book The 5th Little Girl: Soul Survivor of the 16th Street Baptist Church Bombing (The Sarah Collins Rudolph Story), released November 2020.
• Rev. Sharon Risher: Author, inspirational speaker, activist and an avid spokesperson for the passage of sensible gun laws and the end to the federal death penalty. Rev. Risher is the eldest daughter of Mrs. Ethel Lance, who was murdered in the Emanuel Nine massacre.
• Walter Bernard Jackson, Jr. – Elected official and eldest grandson of Mrs. Susie J. Jackson who was one of the Emanuel 9 victims. Walter is actively involved in civic organizations such as the NAACP and the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Foundation.
• Camryn Singleton: Daughter of the late Rev. Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, who was one of the Emanuel Nine victims.
• Rose Simmons: Daughter of the late Rev. Daniel L. Simmons, Sr. who was one of the Emanuel Nine victims. Simmons has dedicated her life to transforming the lives of others as she travels throughout the nation sharing her message of love, hope, and forgiveness while heralding her father’s legacy.
• Nikki Croker: 2015 graduate of Columbia College who prides herself in working with youth in various capacities.
• Rabbi Meir Feldman: began his tenure at Temple Beth-El of Great Neck, NY in July 2009. Rabbi Feldman says, their temple is a place where we come together to make a difference in the world, to receive the gift of feeding hungry people, to feel the privilege of helping children learn to read, to speak out, in an organized and compelling way, about injustices and social causes that are the core of Jewish living and learning.
• Rodney Graham III: Student at the University of Central Florida who recently received the Student Impact of the Year award.

Join by phone: (301) 715 – 8592 or (877) 853 – 5247 US Toll-free
Meeting ID: 837 7220 2726

June 19, 2021

JUNETEENTH FREEDOM FEST CHARLESTON

2pm-10pm

A Free Event for the Community by the Community – North Charleston Riverfront Park

Passion Project Initiatives Inc. is excited to present the Juneteenth Freedom Fest Charleston, an event taking place at the North Charleston Riverfront Park. Mark your calendars for June 19, 2021 for a free event that will feature local vendors, food trucks, and entertainment for the entire family. Including our featured locally-owned food truck, Charleston Caribbean Creole. Co-hosted by the Geechie Motivator and Kris Kaylin, this event will be a day filled with African Dance and performances from various artists such as Charleston’s Hip Hop Violinist Daniel D, Ray Singleton and our headliner: Geno Wesley featuring the Black Diamond Band. The evening wouldn’t be complete without an amazing Fireworks Show! This event will not just be about entertaining but also educating our community on this important celebration.

June 20, 2021

VIRTUAL FATHER’S DAY WORSHIP SERVICE

9:30am

A Worship Service in Honor of All Fathers, in Remembrance of the Emanuel Nine and Recognition of the Survivors. The speaker for this worship service will be Senator Marlon Kimpson.

June 21, 2021

ACTS OF AMAZING GRACE WITH STARBUCKS COFFEE

This observance is designed as an opportunity for residents of the Charleston region to perform random acts of kindness to honor the lives of the Emanuel Nine. On the morning of June 21, the Mother Emanuel Memorial Foundation will host a pay-it-forward-day by encouraging individuals to visit www.new.emanuelnine.org, which will provide a scannable Starbucks e-gift card. Individuals are encouraged to purchase their morning coffee using the e-gift card and to pay it forward throughout the day.

June 22, 2021

VIRTUAL EMANUEL 9 SENIOR CITIZEN’S LUNCHEON

noon-1pm

The annual luncheon will be conducted virtually for the members of the Senior Citizens Ministry of Mother Emanuel AMEC. The speaker for the luncheon will be Rev. Catina Jackson, the granddaughter-in-law of Mrs. Susie Jackson. The members of the Senior Citizens Ministry and speakers will have lunch delivered to them to partake in a repast during the luncheon.

June 23, 2021

Virtual Youth STEAM Conference (Middle & High School Students)

10am-2pm

STEAM Youth Conference – Jamila Gadsden, Chairperson
This youth conference will explore STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, & Mathematics) careers that can help children make important decisions about their future. It will feature presenters from each of the STEAM areas.

CALLING ALL COLORS – (Gr. 6 – 8) Reba Hough-Martin, Chairperson
Please join the congregation of Mother Emanuel AME Church and the Palmetto Community Action Partnership in a one-day camp for young people to celebrate diversity and pursue racial reconciliation by discussion stereotypes and other race-related issues; brainstorming ways to promote ethnic openness and experiencing different cultures through arts.

Book Study: Ghost Boys (Gr. 5 – 12) – Blondelle C. Gadsden, Chairperson
The book study session is being held to review the book study format, guidelines and schedule of meeting dates and time. An overview of the book will also be provided and a Q&A segment will be included.

June 24, 2021

VIRTUAL BOOK STUDY – Ghost Boys – Introduction of Reading Project

10-11:30am

The attendees will have an opportunity to receive information about the schedule and expectations for the Ghost Boys book study. This event is being held to present the details of the book study on the Ghost Boys book by Jewell Parker Rhodes. During this session, you will be provided with the schedule of the meeting dates for our ZOOM sessions. We deem these sessions necessary for successful completion of the project, and hope that your parents will join us as well.

June 24, 2021

CALLING ALL COLORS VIRTUAL CONFERENCE (Middle School Students)

noon-2pm

Calling All Color celebrates multi-culturalism by addressing issues middle schoolers face related to bullying and cultural acceptance. The congregation of Mother Emanuel AME Church and Palmetto Community Action Partnership (CAP) invite the Charleston community to a free virtual camp for middle school students on June 24 to celebrate unity and diversity.

June 25, 2021

EMANUEL 9 HUMANITARIAN AWARD PROGRAM

11am-2pm

The members of the SC House of Representatives who helped to craft the Clementa Pinckney Hate Crime bill will be recognized for their work. The Clementa Pinckney Hate Crime bill is the work of several members of the South Carolina House of Representatives who decided to take a stance about how heinous crimes are handled. South Carolina is one of three states that have not instituted hate crime laws. As a result of the Emanuel Nine massacre, these individuals were instrumental in crafting the hate crime bill and submitting it to be voted upon by the South Carolina House of Representatives and the Senate.We are excited about the support that the bill has received from the members of the House of Representatives and are hopeful that the same will happen within the South Carolina Senate.

June 26, 2021

VIRTUAL GOSPEL CONCERT

 7-8pm

A compilation of videos from various gospel groups will be aired for your enjoyment during this commemorative event. The 2021 Emanuel 9 Commemoration will conclude with the Virtual Morning Grace Gospel Concert. Various church choirs and vocal artists have submitted video recordings that were complied as a video to be aired in concert. We hope that this concert will be a beacon of light that brings about hope and happiness to all in attendance.