Junior mass communications major Keighla Pope has been selected to receive a “Preserving Our Places in History Award” from the South Carolina African American Heritage Commission. Pope’s documentary, titled “The Lowcountry’s Battle with COVID-10,” won in the Student Award category. The Commission will present the award to Pope on March 20 at the State Capital. The presentation will be videotaped for a virtual awards presentation in April.
Pope was nominated by Dr. Arlecia Simmons, assistant professor of mass communications at Â鶹´«Ã½ University. “My desire to nominate Keighla was because of her interest in the coronavirus’s impact on a faith community located in the Sea Islands of South Carolina,” said Simmons. “The brilliance of this documentary is that it explores the impact on not only a religious community, but also the black business community. While most churches pivoted to digital platforms to continue their services and outreach, a local church used the bowling alley parking lot to accommodate their religious services.”
Click to watch the video presentation.