Charleston Community Honors Ancestors at Burial Site
Residents gathered at the former YWCA site on Coming Street to advocate for the preservation of historic Potter's Field.
Updated on Oct. 24, 2026 in African-American
Live Poll
Should developers be restricted from building on land containing historic burial sites in your community?
Community members and local leaders held a commemorative event to honor enslaved Africans and Indigenous people buried at the former YWCA site. The gathering also served as a rally to advocate for the permanent preservation of the historic Potter's Field.
Why it matters
The ceremony highlights ongoing efforts to protect sacred burial grounds in Charleston from potential redevelopment. By honoring those interred at the site, activists seek to ensure that local historical legacies remain respected and preserved.
State Representative Wendell Gilliard, who represents the 111th District, attended the commemorative ceremony. The site on Coming Street is historically recognized as part of the Potter's Field burial grounds.
The players
Wendell Gilliard
A state representative who serves the 111th District and attended the ceremony to support the preservation efforts.
Charleston Black Lives Matter
An activist organization that held a rally at the site to oppose development on the historic burial ground.
The details
Participants performed prayers across different faith traditions, praise dances, and recited poetry to honor the individuals buried at the site. Following the ceremony, members of Charleston Black Lives Matter held a rally to protest potential commercial development at the location.
Timeline
The community gathering took place on October 24, 2026.
Culture Shift
This event follows a pattern set by the preservation of the African Burial Ground in Lower Manhattan, where community advocacy successfully blocked development on a historic cemetery. The push reflects a broader movement to ensure that urban development does not erase the sites of enslaved ancestors.
Residents in the area may see increased advocacy and potential public hearings regarding zoning or preservation status for the Coming Street location. The ongoing movement encourages locals to engage with historical preservation and participate in upcoming community forums.
The takeaway
Honoring historical burial sites serves as a bridge between the city's past and contemporary urban development decisions. Residents interested in protecting local history should keep track of public meetings regarding the Coming Street property.
Further reading
Learn more about local cultural preservation efforts in the African-American section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WCBD 2 - Charleston.
Live Poll
Should developers be restricted from building on land containing historic burial sites in your community?
