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 Claflin 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.”
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