The Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor Commission held its second annual Gullah Convening in Charleston, S.C., focusing on celebrating, preserving, and investing in Gullah Geechee culture. This event highlighted the community’s role in American history through live music, storytelling, cultural performances, and traditional cuisine. All proceeds support preservation, education, and resilience projects across Lowcountry regions in South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida.
Key Highlights and Speakers
- Cultural Elements: Featured Gullah storytelling, live music, and a dinner with traditional Gullah Geechee dishes, praised by chefs like Wilmington’s Keith Rhodes for making indigenous culture accessible via food and arts.
- Leadership Insights: Interim Executive Director Djuanna Brockington emphasized the national importance of weaving Gullah stories into broader narratives and called for inclusion in regional growth.
- Community Voices: Commissioner Floyd Phillips from Florida stressed sharing the culture widely; Chef Amethyst Ganaway noted the event’s role in proving the culture’s enduring strength; Hester McFadden of the Liberty Hill Historical Society celebrated ancestral legacies and future accomplishments.
Broader Significance
Speakers underscored Gullah Geechee resilience amid cultural shifts and development pressures. The convening served as a “call to honor the past, celebrate the present, and plant seeds for the future,” positioning the community not as an afterthought but as central to progress. This aligns with ongoing efforts to protect language, history, and heritage in the face of modern changes.
As someone tuned into South Carolina’s local culture and events, do you plan to attend future Gullah Geechee gatherings or explore related historic sites?
