Trauma, Truth, and Triumph: The Story of Charleston's International African American Museum

Dr. Tonya M. Matthews, SOM '06 (PhD), is president and CEO of the International African American Museum (IAAM), which is located in Charleston, S.C. at the historically sacred site of Gadsden’s Wharf, one of our nation’s most prolific former slave ports.  As a champion of authentic, empathetic storytelling of American history, IAAM is one of the nation’s newest platforms for the disruption of institutionalized racism as America continues the walk toward “a more perfect union.” 

A thought-leader in inclusive frameworks, social entrepreneurship, and education, Matthews has written articles and book chapters across these varied subjects. She is founder of The STEMinista Project, a movement to engage girls in their future with STEM careers. Matthews is also a poet and is included in 100 Best African American Poems (2010), edited by Nikki Giovanni. Matthews received her Ph.D. in biomedical engineering from Johns Hopkins University and her B.S.E. in engineering from Duke University, alongside a certificate in African/African American Studies. 

Brandon Ball, BUS '16 (MBA), is an innovation strategist and consultant with experience across the public and private sectors. He is the Co-Founder and Design & Brand Experience Director at Ball-N-Co., an Atlanta-based design and brand experience firm specializing in strategy, immersive experiences, and storytelling. He is a graduate of the Design Leadership MBA program between Johns Hopkins Carey Business School and the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA). He is one of the first African American male graduates of this dual degree program, and as an alum, gives back to students of color by teaching courses in design thinking and mentoring. Brandon also earned a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University.