A permanent memorial honouring nine Black worshippers murdered in a racist attack at a historic church in Charleston, South Carolina, has opened more than 11 years after the shooting. Chris Singleton, whose mother was among those killed, said the new site gives him a place to visit whenever he wants to remember her. The Emanuel Nine Memorial was officially opened on Saturday, 14 November 2026, beside the historic Mother Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church. The project followed a major fundraising campaign that raised approximately $25 million (£19 million), according to the Associated Press (AP).Families of the victims, survivors and community leaders attended the dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony. Local broadcaster Live 5 News reported that people gathered to mark the opening of the memorial. The shooting took place on 17 June 2015, when a white supremacist opened fire during a Bible study session at the church. Nine people were killed: State Senator and Reverend Clementa Pinckney, Reverend Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, Cynthia Graham Hurd, Reverend Daniel Simmons, Reverend DePayne Middleton-Doctor, Myra Quarles Thompson, Ethel Lee Lance, Susie Jackson and Tywanza Sanders. Five others survived. The memorial honours those who died and provides a place for visitors to remember the victims and learn about the attack.
A place of quiet reflection
The memorial was designed to offer a peaceful place for remembrance and reflection. Its layout focuses on peace, reconciliation and hope while creating a quiet space in downtown Charleston. According to Live 5 News, the site features two large curved marble benches arranged around a central fountain. The benches allow visitors to sit and reflect, while the fountain carries the names of the nine victims. The design also includes a Cross of Hope, which represents forgiveness and redemption. It was created by Michael Arad, a partner at Handel Architects who also designed the National September 11 Memorial in New York City. The Associated Press reported that the memorial’s marble courtyard was designed to encourage visitors to focus on the people who lost their lives rather than only the circumstances of their deaths. A Survivors’ Garden is also planned as part of the wider project.For Chris Singleton, the opening has a personal meaning. His mother, Reverend Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, was among those killed in the 2015 shooting. Singleton was 18 at the time and has since become a motivational speaker and author. Speaking to Live 5 News, he explained why having a permanent place to remember his mother matters. “So, we don’t have a burial site for her. But this will be somewhere I can find solace and go through my emotions when I need to have that moment with my mom,” Singleton said. According to Live 5 News, his mother’s ashes were placed in the ocean in Jamaica. The new memorial gives him and other relatives a place to remember their loved ones.
Honouring resilience over grief
The dedication ceremony also recognised the strength shown by the victims’ families, survivors and the wider Charleston community since the attack. The Associated Press reported that speakers focused on resilience and the importance of keeping the victims’ memories alive. William Dudley Hurd, whose sister Cynthia Graham Hurd was among those killed, spoke about the meaning of remembrance during the dedication. His message reflected the belief that the hatred behind the attack had not destroyed the love shared by the families and community.“This isn’t just about grief. This is about resilience. They took away our loved ones, but they could not take away the love,” Hurd said, according to the AP report. Other speakers also highlighted the importance of reconciliation and challenging racist beliefs. Community leaders hope the memorial will become an educational destination, attracting visitors who want to learn about the shooting and the history of Mother Emanuel AME Church. Founded in 1818, the church has a long history in Charleston’s Black community. According to the Associated Press, it became an important centre for civil rights activity, with Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. and other leaders speaking there.
The legacy of fundraising
The memorial required years of planning and a major fundraising effort. The Mother Emanuel Memorial Foundation was established in 2017 to oversee the project and raise money for its construction and long-term upkeep. According to the Associated Press and Live 5 News, the campaign raised approximately $25 million. Donations came from individuals, foundations, companies and public sources, including the state of South Carolina and the city of Charleston. Around $5 million of the total has been set aside as a permanent endowment to cover future maintenance costs. Organisers say this will help ensure the memorial remains in good condition without placing an ongoing financial burden on the church congregation. The funding covers the memorial’s design and construction, along with the long-term costs of maintaining the site. The endowment is intended to protect the project for future generations. Local officials told Live 5 News that long-term funding was an important part of creating a lasting tribute. The foundation also plans to continue educational and community activities linked to the memorial.
Healing and enduring impact
The opening marks another important moment in Charleston’s efforts to remember the 2015 attack and support the families affected by it. The murders prompted widespread discussions across the United States about racism, gun violence and Confederate symbols. In the weeks after the shooting, South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley called for the Confederate battle flag to be removed from the State House grounds in Columbia. The flag was taken down in July 2015 following public pressure. The attack also brought national attention to racial violence and the experiences of Black communities. Charleston’s response, particularly the calls for forgiveness and unity from victims’ families and church members, became an important part of the aftermath. More than a decade later, the Emanuel Nine Memorial provides a permanent place to remember those who died and recognise the people who survived. It also gives younger generations an opportunity to learn about the attack and the history of the church. For Singleton and other relatives, the site offers a place to sit quietly and remember the people they lost. The memorial now stands beside Mother Emanuel AME Church as a lasting tribute to the nine victims and the community they left behind.
