Alana Grant faced a tough journey before she could step into the basement of Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina. This was the last place her grandfather, Rev. Daniel Lee Simmons, attended Bible study before tragedy struck. Years of fear transformed into gratitude and hope when a memorial honoring the “Emanuel Nine” was established, commemorating the nine Black churchgoers killed by a white supremacist in 2015.
The memorial, now open to the public, provides a space for reflection and remembrance. “People can go and remember really what happened here,” Alana shared as she visited the site with her husband, state Rep. Hamilton Grant. The memorial’s design emphasizes love and mercy, featuring a central Fountain of Grace that symbolizes God’s eternal compassion. Surrounding the fountain are two Fellowship Benches and a Cross of Hope, representing redemption amidst suffering. An additional garden will honor the five survivors of the shooting.
Rev. Eric Manning, co-chair of the Mother Emanuel Memorial Foundation board, expressed his hope that the memorial resonates with everyone who visits. “Just for a moment, a peace came over me,” he reflected, speaking of the comfort he found at the memorial site.
Connecting Generations Through the Memorial
For Alana, this memorial is more than just a tribute; it’s a way to talk to her children about their great-grandfather and the events that transpired. She wants them to understand their family history and the significance behind the memorial. “I spent a lot of time thinking about it and praying about it,” she explained. “I do want them to go so that they can kind of see what even brought me to South Carolina.”
Malcolm Graham, a former North Carolina state senator whose sister, Cynthia Graham Hurd, was one of the victims, also sees the memorial as a place to reflect on cherished memories. “I look up to her,” he said, remembering the good times they shared at church and in life.
Alana highlighted the bravery of the survivors, acknowledging that their ongoing journey is “nothing short of heroism.” She believes the memorial serves as a reminder of the resilience of Black people in the face of adversity.
A Design with Deep Meaning
In 2017, a committee began the search for an architect to design the memorial, receiving responses from talented designers worldwide. Instead of typical proposals, the architects were asked to answer profound questions about forgiveness and healing. Michael Arad, who previously designed the 9/11 Memorial, was ultimately chosen for this project. He immersed himself in the community and its history, understanding that the design needed to reflect the spirit of the church and its significance in American history.
The Mother Emanuel church, established in 1818, has a rich legacy as a center for resistance and civil rights, where figures like Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke. Despite the progress made, challenges remain. Graham noted that “racism, hatred, and discrimination continue to be this country’s Achilles’ heel.”
Advocating for Change
Alana has actively advocated for a hate crimes statute, alongside her husband, who supported legislation named after Rev. Clementa Pinckney, another victim. Although that legislation failed, she sees the memorial as a platform for raising awareness among younger generations. “We want more than your thoughts and prayers. We want your advocacy,” she emphasized, encouraging visitors to leave inspired to combat hate.
The memorial not only honors the Emanuel Nine but also serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing fight against hatred and the importance of community resilience. Visitors can learn from the past and reflect on how to create a more compassionate future.
