LibGuides: Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture: Heritage Interpretation

The Black and Brown Interpreters Network™ is a group of natural and cultural history interpreters and tour guides based in the South Carolina Lowcountry and beyond who are dedicated to education, professional development and service in the field of heritage interpretation.

We meet monthly at different heritage sites to learn from our fellow Black and Brown Interpreters and tour guides; network, share opportunities for continuing education and scholarships, explore local history and more.

Our meetups are open to the community of Black and Brown people who identify as cultural/historical and natural history interpreters, tour guides and tour company owners; and/or Black and Brown people who have completed or plan to complete the National Association for Interpretation's Certified Interpretive Guide training course.

Remember only we can tell our stories!

Image of Black and Brown Interpreters Network™ at Magnolia Plantation

Join us for a Lowcountry Waterways and the Recovery of the African Spirit tour with Certified Interpretive Guide Ashani Coviello.

During the tour we will explore how Lowcountry wetlands served as sites of protection, connection, and resilience for African communities. We’ll trace the maritime histories of African people to understand the impact the middle passage had on African spiritual beliefs and aquatic practices.

National Association for Interpretation

NAI Website
The National Association for Interpretation (NAI) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit professional organization dedicated to advancing the profession of heritage interpretation, currently serving about 6,000 members in the United States, Canada, and over thirty other nations. Individual members include those who work at parks, museums, nature centers, zoos, botanical gardens, aquariums, historical and cultural sites, commercial tour companies, and theme parks. Commercial and institutional members include those who provide services to the heritage interpretation industry.

NAI Certification Options

Become a Certified Interpretive Guide
The Certified Interpretive Guide certificate is designed for interpreters who are seasonal, temporary, new hires, or volunteers just starting in the field or for those who would like a refresher on the fundamentals. If you conduct tours, demonstrations, lead hikes and other recreational activities, present living history programs, etc. then this is the program to start with. Since this is a training certificate, you must complete a 32-hour course.
Become a Certified Interpretive Host
The Certified Interpretive Host certificate is a designed for those who work at an interpretive site and have contact with the public but do not give programs. For example, front desk clerks, law enforcement, maintenance, etc. This course combines customer service with informal interpretation. Since this is a certificate, you must complete a 16-hour course.
Become a Certified Heritage Interpreter
The Certified Heritage Interpreter certification is a professional level certification for those who have been in the field as a front-line interpreter for more than 5 years. If you have experience presenting programs and developing non-personal interpretation, then this is the certification for you.
Become a Certified Interpretive Trainer
The Certified Interpretive Trainer certification is a professional level certification for those who regularly train interpreters. If you are someone who trains staff, students, and/or seasonal staff, then this is the certification for you.
Become a Certified Interpretive Planner
This certification helps participants develop plans for individual exhibits and other interpretive opportunities; contribute significantly as a member of an interpretive planning team working on a site or facility; explain and defend the interpretive planning process; explain how people make a decision to engage and stay engaged; evaluate existing interpretive opportunities for effectiveness; improve existing interpretive opportunities based on your evaluation of effectiveness; develop a message-driven interpretive opportunity; and profile target audiences in a meaningful way.
Become a Certified Interpretive Manager
The Certified Interpretive Manager certification is a professional level certification for those who supervise other interpreters. If you are someone who manages an interpretive facility, supervises staff, prepares budgets, or is otherwise responsible for daily operations of an interpretive site, then this is the certification for you.

Additional Certifications

Master Naturalist Program
The Charleston Master Naturalist course is for adults of all ages who want to better understand and protect the rich natural resources of South Carolina. While focusing on the coastal environments in and surrounding Charleston County, participants will sharpen their identification skills, learn to “read” landscapes, and develop an understanding of ecological relationships and issues across the SC Lowcountry. Graduates have the opportunity to participate in the Coastal Master Naturalist Association which continues the learning process through coordinated field trips, outings with professional naturalists, and volunteer opportunities.
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The Charleston Master Naturalist course consists of an evening orientation on the first course date followed by 12 full days of classes on Tuesdays during the spring and fall of each year. Organized and conducted by our Interpretation Department, the course begins with explorations of the Caw Caw Interpretive Center, a nearly 1,000 acre site that has many distinct habitats rich in natural and cultural history. Other potential target sites include the Francis Marion National Forest, Bonneau Ferry WMA, Lighthouse Inlet Heritage Preserve, and Bennett’s Point Field Station. Through visiting sites such as these and hearing from specialists such as Drs. Richard Porcher, Joel Gramling, Al Segars, and Joe Kelley, participants will discover the importance and complexity of topics such as watersheds, estuaries, barrier island ecology, Carolina Bays, and hammock islands.

Interpretation Resources

Personal Interpretation by Lisa Brochu; Tim Merriman
ISBN: 9781879931244
Publication Date: 2008-01-01
If you only had time to read one book before becoming a front-line guide or interpreter, Personal Interpretation: Connecting Your Audience with Heritage Resources is the ideal resource. Written in clear, concise language with many examples, it employs the most current ideas in the interpretive profession. It also shares some of the rich traditions from interpretation's past masters, drawing on Freeman Tilden's principles and Enos Mills' thoughtful ideas on nature guiding. It will connect you with the more in-depth resources developed by authors such as Sam Ham, Bill Lewis, Douglas Knudson, Ted Cable, Larry beck, and Joseph Cornell. This resource shares the approaches tested and proven by the National Park Service and many other organizations along with the research concepts that back up their approaches.
Gifts of Interpretation by Larry Beck; Ted Cable
ISBN: 9781571676368
Publication Date: 2011-01-01
This is the third edition of previously titled "Interpretation for the 21st Century". In this newest edition the authors focus on the fifteen guiding principles of earlier versions of the book with a focus on how each of the principles is a gift, for example, of story, revelation, provocation, beauty, passion. This book has served as a university text and is used by the interpretative profession in many federal agencies (National Park Service), state agencies, regional and local interpretative centres, zoos, aquaria, museums, and other interpretative sites. The book has been used internationally and has been translated into Chinese.
Interpretation: Making A Difference on Purpose by Sam H. Ham
ISBN: 9781555917425
Publication Date: 2013-06-01
In the new edition of the international bestseller Environmental Interpretation, Sam H. Ham captures what has changed in our understanding of interpretation during the past two decades. Ham draws on recent advances in communication research to unveil a fresh and invigorating perspective that will lead interpreters to new and insightful pathways for making a difference on purpose through their work.
Interpreting Difficult History at Museums and Historic Sites by Julia Rose; Jonathan Holloway (Foreword by)
ISBN: 9780759124370
Publication Date: 2016-05-02
Interpreting Difficult History at Museums and Historic Sites is framed by educational psychoanalytic theory and positions museum workers, public historians, and museum visitors as learners. Through this lens, museum workers and public historians can develop compelling and ethical representations of historical individuals, communities, and populations who have suffered. It includes various examples of difficult knowledge, detailed examples of specific interpretation methods, and will give readers an in-depth explanation of the psychoanalytic educational theories behind the methodologies. Audiences can more responsibly and productively engage in learning histories of oppression and trauma when they are in measured and sensitive museum learning environments and public history venues.
Interpretive Writing by Alan Leftridge
ISBN: 9781879931213
Publication Date: 2006-11-01
Alan Leftridge, the executive editor of The Interpreter magazine, will sharpen your skills for connecting with your audiences. The book introduces you to the strategies promoted by the National Association for Interpretation and the National Park Service for written interpretation, with a focus on developing tangibles, intangibles, universals, and interpretive themes in your writing, while avoiding trite expressions. These strategies and skills apply to your brochures, web sites, exhibits, public service announcements, books, magazine articles and other interpretive projects.
Interpreting African American History and Culture at Museums and Historic Sites by Max A. van Balgooy (Editor); Lonnie G. Bunch (Foreword by); Lonnie G. Bunch (Foreword by)
ISBN: 9780759122796
Publication Date: 2014-12-23
In this landmark guide, nearly two dozen essays by scholars, educators, and museum leaders suggest the next steps in the interpretation of African American history and culture from the colonial period to the twentieth century at history museums and historic sites. This diverse anthology addresses both historical research and interpretive methodologies, including investigating church and legal records, using social media, navigating sensitive or difficult topics, preserving historic places, engaging students and communities, and strengthening connections between local and national history. Case studies of exhibitions, tours, and school programs from around the country provide practical inspiration, including photographs of projects and examples of exhibit label text.
Interpretive Theme Writer's Field Guide by Jon Kohl
ISBN: 1879931338
The interpretive theme is the most important sentence an interpreter inks on paper. Despite its centrality to thematic interpretation, no single work has dedicated itself entirely to the art and craft of strong theme writing until now. The Interpretive Theme Writer's Field Guide builds on Sam Ham's 30-year thematic interpretation research legacy. While leaving theory to his books, this pocket companion offers writers strong theme examples, worksheets, exercises, inspirational quotes, and technique highlights.

Contact Avery's Interpretation Coordinator

Erica Veal

she/her

Email Me

NAI Certification and Training Calendar

SAVE THE DATE for our next 32-hour Certified Interpretive Guide training course on October 2nd-3rd; 6th-7th, 2025 from 9AM-5PM all four days. This course is tailored to meet the needs of interpreters based in the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor. The cost is $600 and includes a one-year professional membership with the National Association for Interpretation. Limited scholarships are available (see below). Course registration opens August 1st, 2025.

The Avery Research Center offers scholarships for community members interested in becoming Certified Interpretive Guides in partnership with the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor and the Lowcountry Arts Movement. For more information or to contribute to the scholarship fund email enveal@cofc.edu. Applications for fall scholarships open August 1st, 2025.

The Charleston Master Naturalist course is for adults of all ages who want to better understand and protect the rich natural resources of South Carolina. Two Michael A. Allen Heritage Interpretation Scholarship will be awared each semester to enroll in the Master Naturalist course to members of the Black and Brown Interpreters Network only and preference is given to those who have already completed Certified Interpretive Guide training. To be considered submit your resume and a brief statement of interest describing yourself, the work you do and how becoming a master naturalist would benefit you in your current work as an interpreter to enveal@cofc.edu. Applications for the Spring 2025 are now closed.

NAI National Trainings
NAI's professional development courses are split into two groups, Certification and Training. Depending on the level (training or professional level), certification can either be obtained through a workshop or through a peer review process. The entry level certification courses help students to complete some of the required portions of their certifications, while Training courses offer the chance to expand your knowledge in that a specific topic area. Course listings are updated weekly.

NAI Conferences

NAI National Conference
Join your fellow interpreters in Virigina Beach, VA November 11th-14th, 2025.

The NAI National Conference is an annual event in the U.S. attracting about 800 participants. Conferences usually occur over a five-day period during the first two weeks of November and are planned five years in advance.
NAI International Conference
Join your fellow interpreters in Morocco, May 15th–22nd, 2025.

The NAI International Conference is an annual event held at sites around the world each spring, attracting up to 150 participants.
NAI Regional Workshop
NAI Sunny Southeast Region is a group of interpreters from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virgin Islands.

Virtual Resources

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Keep up with the Black and Brown Interpreters Network on Instagram
NAI Sunny Southeast Region
This is the NAI Sunny Southeast Facebook group. Join the group for news, workshop updates and networking opportunities.
Black Interpreters Guild
A space for Black/African American museum, historic house or historic site interpreters to learn, share stories and resources, encourage each other, and build a supportive nationwide community
NAI Cultural and Historical Interpretation Section
The Cultural and Historical Interpretation Section is a community within the National Association for Interpretation. Our members support NAI’s mission of advancing the field of heritage interpretation by discussing, promoting, and applying interpretive principles and techniques to create a broader understanding of the human experience both past and present.