Claflin University junior and mass communications student Keighla Pope has been selected as the winner of the Preserving Our Places in History Award from the South Carolina African American Heritage Commission. Pope’s documentary, “The Lowcountry’s Battle with COVID-19,” won in the Student Award category.
The Commission presented the award to Pope March 20 at the State Capital, and the videotaped presentation will be available to view in April.
Pope was nominated by Dr. Arlecia Simmons, assistant professor of mass communications at Claflin University.
“My desire to nominate Keighla was because of her interest in the Coronavirus’s impact on a faith community located in the Sea Islands of South Carolina,” said Simmons. “The brilliance of this documentary is that it explores the impact on not only a religious community, but also the black business community. While most churches pivoted to digital platforms to continue their services and outreach, a local church used the bowling alley parking lot to accommodate their religious services.”
The South Carolina African American Heritage Council was established in 1993 as part of a movement toward recognizing the importance of preserving cultural richness. Then in 2001 the South Carolina African American Heritage Commission was established by executive order of Governor Jim Hodges.
The commission’s goal is to identify and promote the preservation of historic sites, structures, buildings and culture of the African American experience in South Carolina. With representatives from all regions of the state, the commission also aims to assist and enhance the efforts of the South Carolina Department of Archives and History.
To watch “The Lowcountry’s Battle with COVID-19,” click here.
