Center for the Study of Slavery in Charleston

Through scholarly research and public programming, the Center for the Study of Slavery (CSSC) examines the impact of slavery and race-related issues in the City of Charleston, including the surrounding region, and at the College of Charleston from the late 18th century through the civil rights era and the continued impact and legacy of slavery in the present.

CSSC builds on the work begun with the College of Charleston’s affiliation with over 40 other universities in the Universities Studying Slavery (USS) consortium, an effort organized by the University of Virginia.The College of Charleston's membership in Universities Studying Slavery will spur our university to be more intentional in disseminating  research and in collaborations within and beyond the institution. More College of Charleston initiatives will be announced in the coming months.

To learn more about CSSC, please contact our director, Dr. Bernard Powers (powersb@cofc.edu) and explore the Center's Mission, Events, News, and Resources & Exhibitions.

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CSSC News

Op-ed by CSSC Director calls for new monument, plus podcast on John C. Calhoun
Posted on 26 June 2020 | 6:05 pm
CSSC Director Bernard Powers co-authored this op-ed with local historian and attorney Robert Rosen suggesting a response to the city’s Confederate Defenders monument. “We propose a major world-class monument at White Point Garden to the African American heroes of the Civil War and the era of emancipation. We have many illustrious men and women to […]
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CSSC Director reflects on Emanuel AME and what it means to breathe and hope
Posted on 17 June 2020 | 2:16 pm
Many are reflecting on today’s 5-year anniversary of the massacre of nine members of Emanuel AME church on Calhoun Street, a few blocks from our campus. One of the nine was C of C librarian Cynthia Hurd, and Rev. Clementa Pinckney’s funeral was held on our campus in the TD Arena. The College Today has […]
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