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Group of nine diverse adults sitting and standing, smiling, inside a room with brick wall and colorful artwork in the background, portrait style photo.

(Back row, left to right) Terence Hassan, Khristy Glover, Dr. Laneika K. Musalini, Mia Tensley. (Front row, left to right) Jill Gemmill, Rev. Katie Webb, Latonya Williams, Deveraux T. Williams.

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WHO WE ARE

The Pendleton Foundation for Black History & Culture is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that works to support the Town of Pendleton’s Black heritage and, through our history, guide our leaders of tomorrow.

WE SERVE TO…

Restore the Keese Barn Site

  • Our current initiative is the Keese Barn Legacy Project. Learn more about this project here or make a donation.

Four stylized hands in red, yellow, white, and green surrounding a red heart above the word 'INITIATIVES' in bold white letters.

Educate the Community

  • We provide educational programs and, through artifacts and testimonials, tell the story of the African American experience in Pendleton and beyond.

Icon of a courthouse or government building above a hand, with the word 'EDUCATION' below.
Two yellow hands holding a red heart with the word 'PRESERVATION' below.

Protect the Past

  • We serve as a repository and archival space for artifacts and publications.

Empty yellow train tracks on a sunny day.
A smiling man with a beard and mustache, dressed in a suit with a patterned bowtie, standing outdoors with trees in the background.

PFBHC ADVISORS

Dan Cooper

Former SC Representative & Community Advocate 

Dan Cooper served the people of South Carolina for over 20 years as a member of the House of Representatives, including as Chair of the Ways and Means Committee. Cooper is also a dedicated community leader with continued influence throughout South Carolina, as he serves on numerous nonprofit boards and is currently Executive Director of External Affairs at Tri-County Technical College. His distinguished career includes receiving the Order of the Palmetto and the Riley Institute's Wilkins Award. 

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Susanna Ashton

Genealogist for the Cemetery Hill Project at Clemson University

Ph. D: Professor of English, Clemson University 

Dr. Ashton is a scholar of literature and testament and works as an expert on contested authorship of slavery or freedom narratives. She has held many major fellowships and awards related to her work on studies of enslavement in the Carolinas including awards from Harvard and Yale.  Dr. Ashton is the author of many books and articles about African American literary history and culture, often with a focus on the history of South Carolina.

Deborah M. Robinson

Deborah’s work explores the lives of Clemson employees, enslaved African Americans, sharecroppers, domestic and convicted laborers, wage workers, and their families to trace lines of descent and succession. She also develops and facilitates genealogy workshops, presents at conferences, and actively shares her expertise through social media. With more than twenty-five years of professional experience, Robinson previously served as Research Manager and genealogist for AncestryProGenealogists and was President of the Jean Sampson Scott Greater New York Chapter of AAHGS from 2017 to 2019.

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James F. Barker

FAIA: Professor Emeritus of Architecture and President Emeritus of Clemson University

James F. Barker is President Emeritus and Professor, School of Architecture at Clemson University.  James has a degree in architecture from Clemson University and earned a master’s degree in architecture from Washington University in St Louis, Missouri. Barker has been awarded the Order of the Palmetto, the James. T. Rogers Meritorious Service Award from SACSCOC, the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education District III Chief Executive Leadership Award, and induction into the Boys and Girl Clubs of America Hall of Fame.

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