8. Tamara Butler Administration , 2019 - 2027

Dr. Tamara Butler is the current executive director of the Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture, appointed in 2020. Since assuming leadership, she has sustained Avery’s legacy, protecting the mission and values upon which the institution was originally founded. In her first year, Dr. Butler navigated Avery through the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, becoming the first director to maintain community connection and programmatic continuity during an international public health crisis. A Johns Island native and descendant of sharecroppers, Butler’s connection to the Lowcountry is deeply personal and rooted in family, memory, and grassroots organizing. Her leadership has emphasized community engagement, intergenerational programming, and innovative approaches to public history. Through her vision, Avery has strengthened its identity as a hub for Black Island Studies, honoring the connections of Black women to land, memory, and cultural heritage. In 2021, Butler oversaw a virtual Black History Month program and launched the State of the Avery Townhall series, reaffirming Avery’s role as a safe space for dialogue and connection. That same year, she established the Avery Family Reunion, inspired by her time at Ohio State University. The inaugural event, held on Avery’s front lawn, welcomed students, community members, and even provided COVID-19 vaccines. Over time, the reunion has grown into a larger celebration, commemorating Avery’s historic connection to Burke High School. Under Butler’s leadership, Avery has secured over $2.1 million in grant funding, including a $2 million grant from the Mellon Foundation marking the 160th anniversary of the Avery Normal School and the 40th anniversary of the Avery Research Center — one of the largest grants ever awarded to the College of Charleston. These funds have enabled Avery to expand its programming, community outreach, and archival initiatives. Community partnership has been a hallmark of Butler’s tenure. Avery maintains a strong collaboration with the Lowcountry Action Committee, a Black-led grassroots organization, hosting monthly food distributions and supporting local initiatives. Dr. Butler has also advanced scholarly and interpretive work through programs such as the Speaking Our Truths Initiative, led by Research Archivist and Interpretation Coordinator Erica Veal. Among Butler’s notable accomplishments are increased collaboration with Sea Island communities, hosting the South Carolina Consortium of Black Studies (OASIS), conducting a field school on Johns Island with the Vernacular Architecture Forum, and organizing Southern Sonics, a cultural event featuring rapper Bun B. Her tenure reflects a steadfast commitment to ensuring Avery remains a space where justice, equity, and Black cultural memory are at the forefront of scholarship and community engagement.