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4. Karen Chandler Administration, 2001-2010

 Series

Scope and Contents

From the Collection:

The institutional records of the Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture at the College of Charleston, established in 1985. Included are administrative and organizational records, records of archival holdings, and records reflecting the many programs and other outreach efforts enacted by Avery Research Center. The majority of materials are papers with a few published works, artifacts, and posters.

The records are arranged chronologically by earliest first date and divided into series by administration of ARC's leaders, reflecting the administrations of the seven directors/executive directors that ARC has had so far.

Each director's series is then further divided into three main sub-series: administration and operations, archival holdings, and outreach and programs.

Administration and operations are once again further divided by:financials (budgets and reports; grants; donations/fundraising; the College of Charleston Foundation, expenses, incoming, and gift shop); building (renovation, property, rental agreements, utilities and equipment), personnel (searches and general information, employee personnel files, volunteers and interns, and contact lists), correspondence (internal, College of Charleston, and external), policies, planning, and reports (policies and procedures; reports and planning; advisory board; staff meetings and retreats; statistics, surveys, and logs; and work schedules).

Archival holdings are divided into: policies and planning, inventories and collections, and reference and loan records.

Outreach and programs are divided into: publications (further subdivided by publication type), exhibits, Avery-run programs, collaborative programs, event calendars, scholarship and projects, student education, African American Museum, publicity and outreach, memberships and partnerships, and awards.

Dates

  • Creation: 2001-2010

Creator

Language of Materials

From the Collection:

Materials are in English.

Access Restrictions

No restrictions apply.

Biography

Dr. Karen Chandler served as director of the Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture from 2001 until 2004. Her tenure was marked by adaptability, visionary leadership, and a focus on program development, marketing, and community partnerships. With a professional background in music, arts education, and cultural programming, Chandler brought expertise that strengthened both Avery’s educational and public outreach initiatives. Chandler joined Avery at the invitation of Dr. W. Marvin Dulaney, inspired by the influence of her college classmate Ron Dayes and a personal connection to Charleston. She cultivated a collaborative relationship with the Avery Institute of African American History and Culture, guided in part by her sorority sister and AIAAHC founding member, the Honorable Lucille Whipper. This partnership reinforced the integration of scholarly research, community engagement, and cultural programming during her administration. In the fall of 2003, Chandler established The Avery Messenger, the Center’s official newsletter, which became a key tool for community engagement, fundraising, and publicizing Avery’s programs. She prioritized museum education through initiatives such as the MOJA Festival and the Charleston Jazz Initiative, emphasizing experiential learning and public participation. Chandler also contributed to the academic mission of Avery, establishing the Center’s first course offering, Cultural Leadership at the Avery Research Center. She was closely involved in overseeing the final details of the McKinley Washington Auditorium renovations, including lighting and craft elements. Despite challenges related to understaffing and staff workload, her leadership helped strengthen Avery’s organizational infrastructure and long-term visibility within the Charleston community.

Full Extent

From the Collection: 54.34 linear feet (125 document boxes, 1 slim document box, 1 oversize box)

Repository Details

Part of the Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture Repository

Contact:
125 Bull Street
Charleston South Carolina 29424 United States
843-953-7608