9/11 Memorial Designer Chosen to Design AME Emanuel Church Memorial in Charleston

Michael Arad, the designer of the 9/11 Memorial, will oversee the creation of a memorial in remembrance of the nine victims of the June 2015 shooting massacre at AME Emanuel Church in Charleston, South Carolina.

According to the Charleston newspaper The Post and Courier, Arad will meet with victims' families and congregation members as part of the planning process for the AME Emanuel Church memorial.

The architect, who won an international competition to design the 9/11 Memorial in 2004, has previously discussed the pivotal role of local stakeholders in the design of the 9/11 Memorial.

In 2016, at the 9/11 Memorial Museum public program "The Architecture of Remembrance," Arad highlighted the importance of being "as open as possible" with the family members of victims.

In Charleston, family members and other community stakeholders came together after the attack to start a fund for the memorial. Partnering with the leadership of AME Emanuel Church, Charleston-based entrepreneurs and nonprofits established the memorial fund in July 2015, reports The Post and Courier.

Now their efforts have come to fruition as the design process begins under Michael Arad's leadership.

Upon accepting this role, Arad said, "I will do my utmost to honor the memory of the nine victims and give voice to the survivors, the grieving families and the community. If we are able to shine a light on the beauty, resiliency and love that is shown by members of this congregation and the community of Charleston, we will succeed in showing the best of mankind in the wake of the worst. I look forward to engaging in a collaborative design process with hope and humility."

By 9/11 Memorial Staff