African- 

American

Tourism Conference

October 7-8, 2022

College of Charleston

Waterfront Hilton Garden Inn

Lockwood Blvd

The Harriet Tubman Trailblazers Award is to honor a person or entity who has proven themselves to be pioneers in traversing uncharted territory in the realm of the tourism industry. These trailblazers pave new roads so that others may walk.

This year's recipient is Ms. Anita Singleton- Prather for her work of educating & entertaining visitors to South Carolina through a fusion of Gullah Culture & Theatre!

This dynamic group performs songs including slave spirituals and features stories by “Aunt Pearlie-Sue,” a beloved character based on Prather’s grandmother.

The Robert Smalls Public Service Award is to honor a public servant who has demonstrated a commitment to the goal developing public policy that grows and develops African- American Tourism in South Carolina.

This year's recipient is State Senator Karl Allen, who's work in the General Assembly made it possible to launch the Statewide Branding & Tourism Promotion Program focusing on African- American History & Culture.

"We need to make sure that African- Americans have opportunities within every engine driving South Carolina's economy. Tourism growth is low hanging fruit."

The Denmark Vesey Organization Award is to honor an organization that has been instrumental in the development and growth of Cultural/African- American Tourism in South Carolina.

This year's Recipient is Mitchelville Freedom Park for their work in advancing African- American Tourism. From hosting festivals, concerts, to developing a branding program that promotes not only their facilities, but the surrounding area as well.  https://www.exploremitchelville.org/

Kwadjo Campbell

Economic Impact Study: Next Steps- Tourism Protion & Product Development

SC African- American Tourism Council

Bria Graham

Keynote Speaker

Program Associate, Inclusive Economies

Sundra Foundation

Andy Ingraham

Special Guest Speaker

President

National Association of Black Hotel Owners & Operators

International Multi- Cultural Tourism Conference

PRE-CONFERENCE EVENT

Black and Brown Interpreters and Tour Guides Meeting

Avery Research Center Team

Friday, October 7th at 10AM-1:30PM

AVERY RESEARCH CENTER FOR AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY & CULTURE

1) to introduce Black and Brown tourism professionals to certification with the National Association for Interpretation (NAI) and 2) to encourage collaboration around consistency in narrative and telling our own stories regarding the African experience in the South Carolina Lowcountry.

Local & State Government Officials, Tourism Officials, & African- American Tourism Stakeholders Networking Event

Opening Reception

Live Band & Gullah Horderves

Friday Night, October 7th at 7 PM

Avery Research Center

This year's event kicks off with the inaugural opening reception held at the Historic Avery Research Center. The night will be filled with music, dancing, and laughter. The event will be catered by Hannibal's Kitchen who cracked the NY Times Top 50 List.

Courtney Young & Foresight Communications Team

SC Branding & Tourism Promotion Program

Sat, October 8th at 9 AM

Business Marketing Toolkit- SC African- American Tourism Visitors Guide- Branding Themes- Graphic & Video

Foresight Communications unveils the branding & tourism promotion campaign focusing on making the Gullah & Other SC Black Culture synonymous with South Carolina like Creole and Cajun is to Louisiana.

CLIMB FUND, City of Charleston MBE, SC Minority Affairs Commission

Raising Capital to Start or Expand

Sat, October 8th at 10 AM

This session will feature business loans programs aimed at underserved business, particularly those in minority communities. Learn about business planning and access to capital resources for entrepreneurial ventures.

Anita Joyce Prather aka Aunt Perlie Sue & Hilton Head 

A-tax Grants: Funding For Your Tourism & Cultural Arts Programming

Sat, October 8th at 10 AM

This session will feature Hilton Head A Tax Administrator, and Member of the A Tax Committee as they discuss criteria as determined by state law, and insight on what committees are looking for in making funding decisions.

Greenville, Charleston, Florence, Columbia, & Hilton Head CVBs

Visitor Bureaus & How They Can Advance Your Tourism Initiative

Sat, October 8th at 11:30 AM

This session will feature local governments around the state as they discuss the qualifying criteria and other aspects of their programming to promote tourism. 

Social Media Influencers of South Carolina

Brunch & Business: Influencer Edition

Lowcountry Jazz Review by an Assortment of Gullah Musicians

Saturday, October 8 at 2 PM

This Day Party and Conference finale will honor some of South Carolina's most impactful social media influencers in food, fashion, music, & entertainment.