7. Patricia Williams Lessane Administration, 2010-2019
Scope and Contents
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: 2010-2019
Creator
- From the Collection: Dulaney, W. Marvin, 1950- (Person)
- From the Collection: Glascoe, Myrtle Gonza (Person)
- From the Collection: Chandler, Karen A. (Person)
- From the Collection: Edison, Robert (Person)
- From the Collection: Williams Dockery, Patricia (Person)
Language of Materials
Materials are in English.
Access Restrictions
No restrictions apply.
Biography
Dr. Patricia Williams Lessane was appointed executive director of the Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture in 2010, following her predecessor’s tenure and at a moment when the institution sought to affirm its scholarly mission and deepen its community impact. From the outset, Dr. Lessane’s leadership was defined by intellectual rigor, creative programming, and an unwavering commitment to elevating Avery’s role in documenting and interpreting African American history and culture in Charleston, the Lowcountry, and beyond. Dr. Lessane arrived at Avery with a distinguished academic background, including a Ph.D. in anthropology from the University of Illinois at Chicago and extensive experience as an educator and cultural practitioner. In her dual roles as executive director and tenured faculty member, she worked closely with staff, scholars, students, and community partners to expand Avery’s reach and relevance. The centerpiece of Dr. Lessane’s tenure was her leadership of the Race and Social Justice Initiative, a collaborative research and advocacy effort that produced The State of Racial Disparities in Charleston County, South Carolina 2000–2015, the first comprehensive report of its kind to analyze systemic inequities across education, housing, employment, public health, and criminal justice in the region. This report not only highlighted persistent disparities between Black and white residents but also provided policy recommendations aimed at fostering more equitable community outcomes. Under Dr. Lessane’s guidance, Avery hosted a wide array of public history events, academic symposia, and exhibitions that underscored the institution’s mission and enhanced its visibility. She oversaw the development of programming that bridged scholarly inquiry and community engagement, including conferences, lecture series, and collaborations with local and national partners. Her work also strengthened archival access, elevated museum features, and supported the publication and interpretation of Avery’s rich collections. Dr. Lessane’s achievements were recognized widely; in 2018 she received the Excellence in Collegiate Education and Leadership (ExCEL) Award for Administrator of the Year and was honored by the Charleston YWCA for her nonprofit leadership. In 2019, Dr. Lessane stepped down as executive director of Avery to become Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs at Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland — a historic Black university with a deep commitment to scholarship and student success. Her tenure at Avery left an enduring legacy of scholarly excellence, community-centered advocacy, and institutional growth that reshaped how the Center engaged with pressing questions of history, race, and social justice.
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
125 Bull Street
Charleston South Carolina 29424 United States
843-953-7608
averyresearchcenter@cofc.edu