CHARLESTON, S.C. (March 10, 2026) –– Nationally renowned civil rights and personal injury attorney Ben Crump will join Tamara Lanier, the descendant of the enslaved man known as Renty (“Papa Renty”) and his daughter Delia, and leaders of the International African American Museum (IAAM) for a news conference Wednesday. The event will include a ceremonial unveiling of the historic 1850 daguerreotypes recently relinquished by Harvard University as part of a settlement following a landmark Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court decision in Lanier’s lawsuit. The unveiling is especially significant because it marks the return of the images to South Carolina, where they were taken in 1850.
“Papa Renty and Delia were exploited to promote a racist lie, but their images are no longer held by the institution whose forefathers profited from their suffering,” said Attorney Ben Crump. “This homecoming to the IAAM is about truth, dignity, and ensuring their descendants can tell their story on their own terms.”
The program will include remarks and a ceremonial unveiling, followed by a blessing ceremony and a moderated Q&A.
Media credential check-in begins at 1:30 p.m. ET.
WHO:
Tamara Lanier and family
Attorney Ben Crump
Rev. Nelson B. Rivers III
Dr. Tonya M. Matthews, president and CEO, International African American Museum
Malika Pryor, chief learning and engagement officer, International African American Museum
Ashlei Elise, chief marketing officer, International African American Museum
WHEN:
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
Media credential check-in: 1:30 p.m. ET
Program begins: 2:00 p.m. ET
WHERE:
International African American Museum
Center for Family History
14 Wharfside St.
Charleston, SC
Note: Following the initial program in the Center for Family History, guests and media will transition to the Tide Tribute for the blessing ceremony and moderated Q&A.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
[email protected]
ABOUT BEN CRUMP LAW
Through his work, nationally renowned civil rights and personal injury attorney Ben Crump has spearheaded a legal movement to better protect the rights of marginalized citizens. He has led landscape-changing civil rights cases and represented clients in a wide range of areas including civil rights, personal injury, labor and employment, class actions, and more. Ben Crump Law is dedicated to holding the powerful accountable. For more information, visit bencrump.com.
