Darlington County African-American Museum

03/29/2026

02/26/2026

This month marks 100 years since the beginning of what would eventually become Black History Month. Geoff Bennett speaks with the award-winning journalist an...

02/26/2026

Darlington County native Michael Harriot on PBS discussing the 100th year of Black History Month, The American Revolution and all things BLACK.

This month marks 100 years since the beginning of what would eventually become Black History Month. Geoff Bennett speaks with the award-winning journalist an...

02/23/2026

JUGGERNAUT FOR JUSTICE. Born in Darlington County in 1931, Kay Patterson is remembered as a steadfast proponent of civil rights and equality statewide. Patterson earned degrees from Allen University and SC State College and eventually taught in Richland County schools for 14 years. He became a state representative in 1974 and a state senator in 1985, where he served until 2007.

During his tenure, Patterson served on numerous Senate committees and held key leadership roles, including commissioner for the state's transportation department and chairman of the Richland County Legislative Delegation. In 1983, he became the first Black person since Reconstruction elected to the University of South Carolina Board of Trustees.

Patterson was active in his community, belonging to the North Columbia Civic Club, the NAACP and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.

Delve into Patterson’s legacy: bit.ly/KayPatterson.

Photo credit: Richland Library.

02/23/2026

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1364582475712215&set=a.226295416207599

JUGGERNAUT FOR JUSTICE. Born in Darlington County in 1931, Kay Patterson is remembered as a steadfast proponent of civil rights and equality statewide. Patterson earned degrees from Allen University and SC State College and eventually taught in Richland County schools for 14 years. He became a state representative in 1974 and a state senator in 1985, where he served until 2007.

During his tenure, Patterson served on numerous Senate committees and held key leadership roles, including commissioner for the state's transportation department and chairman of the Richland County Legislative Delegation. In 1983, he became the first Black person since Reconstruction elected to the University of South Carolina Board of Trustees.

Patterson was active in his community, belonging to the North Columbia Civic Club, the NAACP and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.

Delve into Patterson’s legacy: bit.ly/KayPatterson.

Photo credit: Richland Library.