In a recent episode of The Chavis Chronicles, civil rights icon Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. sat down with Margaret Seidler, author of "Payne-ful" Business: Charleston’s Journey to Truth. The half-hour show, known for its thought-provoking discussions with global leaders and cultural influencers, focused on Seidler’s exploration of her family's connection to Charleston's history as slave owners.
Seidler shared insights from her book, which traces her personal journey of discovery and reckoning with her family’s past. Through a mix of thorough research and firsthand experience, Seidler opens up about the complexities of understanding Charleston's racial history and the importance of acknowledging a more complete truth.
In the interview, Seidler explained, "I thought that my stepping forward with a more complete truth of Charleston's history—the history that I was not taught in school, not taught in history books, not taught as an adult—was essential. If we could get the truth on the table, then we could have an opportunity to build relationships across the racial divide unlike we've ever been able to do before."
Watch the full interview on PBS to hear more about Seidler’s impactful journey and the stories that shape our understanding of the past.