TRUE NORTH: The Search for American Truthtelling

SEASON 1: The International African American Museum (ROUGH CUTS)
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Christened off South Carolina’s coast in 1670, Charleston was one of America’s most significant settlements and cities. And was also the epicenter of the domestic slave trade. We explore this landscape and this history, as we meet a cross-section of its citizens.

As the arduous, 23-year journey to open the International African American begins, community members are excluded from the telling of their story. And the museum board starts a big lie, that festers to this day.

Charleston (and the nation) suffer another heartbreaking reminder of the human propensity for racism and violence. And how is that used by the museum to advance its agenda.

How do Americans with different perspectives and backgrounds come together to reconcile with the darkest parts of our shared history? And the museum’s first project in the community goes very badly, very quickly.

As more and more South Carolina professionals are cut out of the museum project, community members hold their ground, looking for economic opportunities for the black community. And raising important questions about the socio-economic impact of enslavement.

When more problems at the museum arise, more truthtellers stand up and speak out...this time from inside the building. And after controversies, costly delays, and budget overruns, the museum finally opens. Does it deliver on its original promise - to tell the full truth?