Bloomberg Philanthropies has supported basket weaving initiatives in South Carolina and in Africa. As a part of the Hands to Heritage program, Bloomberg Philanthropies brought together the master sweetgrass basket weavers from South Carolina with master basket weavers from Rwanda through a series of online workshops to exchange stories and techniques passed down over generations. Together, they collaboratively wove baskets representing peace and reconciliation. Those baskets are permanently exhibited at the Charleston International Airport, and at the Charleston Visitor Center. The original peace baskets were sent to the Central Rwanda government as a symbol of Charleston, South Carolina beginning its process of peace and reconciliation.

This film looks at the history of the Gullah people in Charleston, South Carolina and the culture and art of weaving baskets dating back to the 1700s. Unique to the Lowcountry, it represents one of the oldest West African art forms in America.

Also included in the film are interviews with Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg, who talks about Charleston’s direct involvement in the enslavement of Africans and his ongoing efforts to reach reconciliation in the city.