VOICES OF CHARLESTON
Photographic Portraits & Oral Histories from the Unheard
Charleston’s soul lives in the stories of its people, especially those who have witnessed its transformations yet remain absent from its postcard narratives. This project documents the lives and testimonies of Black Charlestonians through intimate portraiture and written oral histories, focusing on elders and lifelong residents. Their voices, shaped by generations of resilience, are archived here as both art and historical record.
Gentrification, cultural erasure, and the weight of the past collide in this city. But so do joy, tradition, and unbroken lineage. This project is an act of reclaiming, of listening, of ensuring that the voices of this community are not lost to time or displacement. These are not just stories. They are legacies.
Thanksgiving Dinner 2023.
“The joy that I have...the world didn't give it to me and the world can't take it away.”
Helen Fulmore
Helen Fulmore was born (1945) and has spent most of her years in the same Silver Hill home where she was raised. This historic Black neighborhood, once a thriving center of Charleston's Black community, has been home to her family for generations. After raising her children in New York during the 1960s-70s, she returned permanently to her childhood house in the 1990s, becoming one of Silver Hill's few remaining original residents as gentrification transforms the area.
Her life remains deeply connected to Midway Baptist Church, where her father served as deacon and her family has worshipped since the 1920s. Now among the congregation's eldest members, Helen represents both the enduring legacy and changing realities of Charleston's Black communities as historic neighborhoods like Silver Hill face unprecedented demographic shifts.
Helen with her granddaughter, Anizia, at the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Mr. Washington at his home in Charleston.
“My garage isn't just a man cave—it's a listening room. Any evening, you'll find young brothers stopping by. Some need advice, some just need to be heard. That's how we've always done it in Charleston.”
Joseph washington
Born in 1931 and raised in downtown Charleston, Joseph has owned his home since the 1970s—a rare constant as the city evolves around him. A U.S. Army veteran, he has spent decades mentoring generations of Black men in Charleston, offering guidance shaped by both service and deep community ties.
His commitment to fellowship extends to Prince Hall Freemasonry, where he’s been an active member of Nehemiah Lodge 51 for over 40 years. As a steward of tradition and practical wisdom, Joseph embodies the resilience of Charleston’s Black elders—those who’ve shaped the city’s foundations while navigating its transformations.
Mr. Washington with his mentee, Clifford, of over 25 years.
Mrs. Wilhelmina at her home in downtown Charleston.
“This is where I belong. Our songs heal hearts and tell our story.”
wilhelmina washington
For 46 years, Wilhelmina Washington's voice has lifted congregations at Mother Emanuel AME Church, Charleston's historic "Holy City" landmark. The lifelong Charlestonian joined the choir in 1978 and has missed only a handful of Sunday services since. Her steadfast presence embodies the church's unbroken spirit - through celebrations, renovations, and challenges alike.
Mrs. Wilhelmina laughing and sharing stories.