Charleston Gaillard Center Releases Raising the Volume Episodes VIII-X

February 1, 2021

11:54 PM

Press Release

Today, the Charleston Gaillard Center released three new episodes and lesson plans as part of the “Raising the Volume” series. Featuring conversations on music, race, art, activism, and more, the series is curated by Artists-in-Residence, Marcus Amaker and Charlton Singleton.

In “Raising the Volume,” Charleston's Poet Laureate Amaker and Grammy Award winner Singleton explore issues through open, honest dialogue. Each conversation includes an in-depth conversation with local Black leaders, educators, business owners, and artists.

The following episodes and lesson plans were released today:

Episode VIII – A conversation on entrepreneurship with Andrea Davis
- Topics include establishing a career in which you feel valued, battling perceptions from social media, and supporting Black-owned businesses
Episode IX – A conversation on finding your voice with Dr. Kylon Jerome Middleton
- Topics include experiencing racism while choosing his future career, finding his passion in teaching, and being a pastor at a historically Black church in downtown Charleston
Episode X – A conversation on music and life with The War And Treaty
- Topics include exploring the band's history, classifying Black artists in specific music genres, and marching with Representative John Lewis. Quiana Parler, lead vocalist of Ranky Tanky, guest hosts.

Each video is accompanied by a lesson plan for both middle and high school students. The Gaillard Center's on-staff educator, Sterling deVries, will facilitate cross-school virtual meetings for students in different areas to discuss the content of the interviews. Ten lesson plans are available now at gaillardcenter.org. The lesson plans highlight the following interdisciplinary themes: global awareness; civic literacy; working creatively with others.

Watch the episodes and download the plans here. All videos and lesson plans are available for free as part of the Gaillard Center's Education and Community Program.

Previously released episodes include:

Episode I – A conversation on music, racism, art, activism, and more with Marcus Amaker & Charlton Singleton.

Episode II – A conversation on Charleston activism, past and present with former Municipal Court Judge for the City of Charleston for 33 years, Judge Arthur McFarland.

Episode III – A conversation on awareness and action with the Executive Director of YWCA, LaVanda Brown.

Episode IV – A conversation on growing up in Charleston and life as a journalist and author with Herb Frazier.

Episode V – A conversation on arts management with Dr. Karen Chandler.

Episode VI – A conversation on The Jazz Initiative and Jenkins Orphanage Band with Dr. Karen Chandler.

Episode VII – A conversation on his life and the health of our Black community with Dr. Thaddeus J. Bell.

Additional episodes and lesson plans will be released soon.