The Charleston Gaillard Center presents Raising the Volume, a conversation on music, race, art, activism, and community-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. The series begins with Amaker and Singleton examining their own experiences with racism as artists. Each subsequent conversation is led by either Amaker or Singleton having in-depth conversations with local Black leaders, educators, business owners, and artists.
Each video will also be accompanied by a lesson plan for both middle and high school students. The Gaillard Center’s on-staff educator will facilitate cross-school virtual meetings for students in different areas to discuss the content of the interviews. Lesson plans for Episodes I-XXII are available below.
Filmed and produced by the Charleston Gaillard Center, each 30-45 minute episode is available on gaillardcenter.org, Facebook, and YouTube.
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.
this episode provided with support from
EPISODE VIII
A conversation on entrepreneurship with Andrea Davis.
EPISODE IX
A conversation on finding your voice with Dr. Kylon Jerome Middleton.
EPISODE X
A conversation on music and life with The War And Treaty.
EPISODE XI
Kellen Gray examines classical conducting.
EPISODE XII
Marcus Amaker and Charlton Singleton talk about music, joy, and memory.
EPISODE XIII
Regina Duggins discusses her role as a mentor, teacher, and community leader.
EPISODE XIV
Dr. Bernard Powers analyzes life and Black history.
EPISODE XV
Jirah Perkins explores art and being you.
EPISODE XVI
Osei Chandler describes discovering your Kuumba.
EPISODE XVII
KJ Kearney highlights Black Food Fridays.
EPISODE XVIII
Michael Brown details community traditions, inspiration, & conflict resolution.
EPISODE XIX
Quiana Parler explores passion, goals for the future, and Gullah culture.
EPISODE XX
Dr. Brown analyzes gentrification, equality advocacy, and community outreach.
EPISODE XXI
Lonnie Hamilton III describes his experience as a Charleston educator and a politician.
EPISODE XXII
Techa Smalls-Brown reviews the importance of practicing mindfulness.
ABOUT THE HOSTS
Marcus Amaker was named Charleston, SC’s first Poet Laureate in 2016.
A native of Awendaw, SC, Charlton Singleton began his musical studies at the age of three on the piano.
