http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20150821/PC16/150829932/museum-project-gets-big-gift-in-name-of-naacp-president-dot-scott
The letter arrived at the NAACP office on Columbus Street, and chapter President Dot Scott’s colleague read it to her over the phone. “This letter is to inform you that a generous grant donation of $25,000 to the International African American Museum (IAAM), was made on your behalf from Vanguard Charitable, from The Herb Silverman Fund.” The significance of what she was hearing didn’t register right away. “The recent and continued investment made on your behalf recognizes your commitment to the ideas of justice and equality.”
The letter arrived at the NAACP office on Columbus Street, and chapter President Dot Scott’s colleague read it to her over the phone. “This letter is to inform you that a generous grant donation of $25,000 to the International African American Museum (IAAM), was made on your behalf from Vanguard Charitable, from The Herb Silverman Fund.” The significance of what she was hearing didn’t register right away. “The recent and continued investment made on your behalf recognizes your commitment to the ideas of justice and equality.”
The money would be used to help pay for the construction of the museum building, the letter explained. And the museum would implement programming “to portray the monumental role played by enslaved Africans and their descendants in the building of our city and our nation.”
The letter was signed by Wilbur Johnson, IAAM board chairman, and Mayor Joe Riley.
As Scott listened to her colleague read the last few sentences, it started to sink in.
“I was really speechless,” she said. It meant a lot. The pushback she gets from certain quarters can be demoralizing. But here was a gesture made by a supporter. “There are folks out there who not only understand, but value what you do,” Scott said.
Quickly she deflected the credit, praising the NAACP generally for its history of fighting injustice, its support structure and its matrix of activists past and present without whom she could not succeed. She said she hopes others will contribute to the museum in the name of the NAACP.
The International African-American Museum is in the process of raising money to fund construction costs and developing its programming. It’s about halfway to its $75-million target. The museum is a priority of Riley as he concludes his 40-year tenure as mayor. A design for the building has been created; it will be located near the South Carolina Aquarium.
The donation came from two people, Herb Silverman, professor emeritus of mathematics at the College of Charleston, and his wife Sharon Fratepietro. They contribute annually to an endowment fund, then disburse money to charitable organizations. Silverman, who is best known locally as a secular humanist and defender of atheism, said he and his wife usually give to secular causes.
“Given what has happened to African-Americans throughout history in our community, we decided to give $25,000 to the memorial project,” he wrote in an email. “It was Sharon’s idea to mention Dot because of the work she has done for the African-American community and how often she is unfairly denigrated.”
Fratepietro said the museum project is overdue and important, given the long history of racism and discrimination and the current strains of prejudice that persist.
“I admire Dot Scott more than words can tell,” she wrote in an email, calling Scott steadfast and brave. “For years I have watched her, as head of the local NAACP, struggle against the current to right the wrongs of racial discrimination in our community.”
Fratepietro said she sees the museum as a chance to address the elephant in the room.
“I hope all the good people who rallied after the Mother Emmanuel murders will also help build the museum with their contributions, regardless of the size of their contributions,” she said. “We and future generations need to understand the history that museum can provide.”
Scott said this public validation of her work is a welcomed gift.
“I can’t thank them enough,” she said. “This takes away some of that background noise.”
