A project of the Preservation Society, the Charleston Justice Journey (CJJ) is an online interactive research and mapping initiative that highlights sites significant to African American history and Charleston’s ongoing journey toward racial equality, while conveying the connection of these sites to the historic built environment. Through this work, the Preservation Society is elevating the contributions of underrepresented communities to provide opportunities for engagement and education. The mapping project is a critical step in preservation and protection of the full narrative of Charleston.

CJJ began as a Furman University Riley Diversity Leadership Institute Capstone Project and was launched in 2018 by an all-volunteer team, led by educator Dr. Barbara Diligard, attorneys Laura Evans, Blan Holman, Christiaan Marcum, previous International African American Museum director Michael Boulware Moore, Trident United Way Chief Operating Officer Merridith Crowe, and the Post and Courier’s Brian Hicks. CJJ was established with support from inaugural donors Linda Ketner and David Cohen, with the International African American Museum (IAAM) as the fiscal intermediary.

With the goal of ensuring the long-term sustainability of the Charleston Justice Journey as a dynamic, growing inventory of sites significant to Charleston’s civil rights history, CJJ became a project of the Preservation Society of Charleston(PSC) in 2019, maintaining the advisory support of the original CJJ volunteer team. Under the PSC’s stewardship, CJJ serves as a compendium of site-specific research connecting places to compelling stories of the journey toward racial justice in Charleston.

The Charleston Justice Journey was initially launched with volunteer support by Dr. Barbara Diligard, Laura Evans, Blan Holman, Christiaan Marcum, and Michael Boulware Moore, with support from inaugural donors Linda Ketner and David Cohen. The PSC is honored to continue their work and bring the CJJ to life.