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