Gullah Heritage Trail Tours

01/02/2025

A Beacon of Learning: The Penn Center

The Penn Center, established in 1862 on St. Helena Island, is one of the first schools for formerly enslaved individuals in the South. 📖✨ Its creation marked a revolutionary moment in history, offering education and hope to a community emerging from the shadows of slavery.

More than a school, the Penn Center became a cultural hub for the Gullah people. It provided a space for empowerment, where students learned not only academic subjects but also life skills that prepared them for independence. 🌿 Over time, it grew into a sanctuary for preserving Gullah traditions, hosting gatherings, and fostering leadership during the Civil Rights Movement.

Today, the Penn Center stands as a symbol of resilience and progress. Walking its grounds, you can feel the echoes of determination and see the fruits of its labor in the vibrant Gullah culture we celebrate today. It’s a reminder of the power of education and community to transform lives.

Visit the Penn Center and immerse yourself in the legacy of learning and leadership.

01/02/2025

01/02/2025

Lowcountry time capsule of sorts is on display in a Manhattan art museum.

Photographs of Daufuskie Island created by renowned photographer and activist Jeanne Moutoussamy-Ashe are on exhibit at the Whitney Museum of American Art. The 13 black-and-white photographs and two portfolio publications offer a unique glimpse into the Gullah Geechee community on the remote sea island and other locations in South Carolina.

Her resulting work tells the story of a people and a culture in a time of transition.

Photographs of Daufuskie Island created by renowned photographer and activist Jeanne Moutoussamy-Ashe are on exhibit at the Whitney Museum of American Art.

12/31/2024

✨ We’re on Oprah’s Favorite Things! ✨

It’s official—the Hilton Head Island Gullah Celebration has been featured in Oprah Daily as part of Oprah’s Favorite Things! 🎉 This is an incredible honor and a testament to the rich heritage, vibrant art, soulful music, and delicious cuisine that make the Gullah Celebration a can’t-miss experience.

🎨🍴🎶 From captivating cultural events to unforgettable storytelling, the Gullah Celebration is more than just a festival—it’s a journey into the heart and soul of Gullah Geechee history and traditions.

Make 2025 the year you experience what Oprah loves! Join us February 1 through March 1 for an unforgettable lineup of events, including:

Authentic Gullah breakfast and cuisine
A month-long art exhibition showcasing local and folk artists
Live music and markets under the stars
The Rhythms & Flavors Festival finale!
Don’t miss your chance to experience the magic. 🎁 Tickets make the perfect holiday gift for friends and family!

🌟 Bundle tickets for the final two events, make a weekend out of it, and SAVE! 🌟

🎟️ Grab your tickets today: https://www.eventeny.com/events/ticket/?id=14184

Celebrate with us and discover why the Gullah Celebration is one of Oprah’s Favorite Things! ❤️

12/27/2024

⛪️ Gullah Spiritual Practices: A Heartwarming Blend of Cultures 🌍

The Gullah community's spiritual practices are a testament to their resilience and rich cultural heritage. They beautifully blend African traditions like ancestor veneration and spirit communication with Christian beliefs, creating a unique and inspiring legacy.

For example, Gullah spiritual practices often incorporate elements like conjuring, healing rituals, and the use of herbs and natural remedies 🌿 – practices rooted in African traditions. These practices are interwoven with Christian beliefs and rituals, creating a unique and deeply personal spiritual experience.

Join us this February as we celebrate Gullah culture and learn more about this fascinating blend of traditions. We'll have a month-long celebration filled with music, food, and stories that will warm your heart. ❤️ Check out the events we have in store here: https://www.gullahcelebration.org/schedule-of-events

12/24/2024

Introducing Ron Daise: Our Beloved Host for The Gullah Convening

The Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor is honored to announce that Ron Daise will be joining us as a host for The Gullah Convening! A legendary educator, author, and cultural preservationist, Ron has dedicated his life to safeguarding and sharing the Gullah Geechee story.

Many will remember Ron from the beloved children’s television series Gullah Gullah Island, where he brought Gullah culture to households across the nation. But his work doesn’t stop there—Ron is a celebrated author and performer who uses his talents to educate and inspire communities about the rich heritage of the Gullah Geechee people.

Ron’s passion and knowledge are unmatched, making him the perfect guide for this elegant black-tie evening. Alongside K.J. Kearney, Ron will lead us through an unforgettable celebration of food, storytelling, and culture that honors the past and builds bridges for the future.

📅 Friday, December 27th
🕔 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
📍 The Camden Room, Charleston Visitor Center

💥 Only a few tickets remain!
🎟️ Limited Gold Sponsor Tables and VIP Friends of the Corridor tickets are sold out.

Reserve your seat today:
👉 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-gullah-convening-tickets-1097664115919?aff=oddtdtcreator

Proceeds from The Gullah Convening will fund preservation efforts, cultural programming, and community initiatives within the Gullah Geechee Corridor.

12/20/2024

Gullah Culinary Griot: Vertamae Smart-Grovenor Books To Keep In Your Kitchen

Click to read:
https://www.blacksouthernbelle.com/gullah-culinary-griot-vertamae-smart-grovenor-books-to-keep-in-your-kitchen/

11/20/2024

✨History Highlight✨ The Art of Sweetgrass Basket Weaving: Craft Passed Through Generations 🧺
Sweetgrass basket weaving is an art that has been passed down through Gullah Geechee families for over 300 years. Brought from West Africa, this intricate craft uses local sweetgrass, pine needles, and palmetto leaves to create beautiful, functional baskets. Each stitch holds history, representing not just utility, but survival. These baskets were once used for rice production on plantations, but today they are a symbol of resilience and beauty. 🌾 The tradition continues to thrive, with each generation learning to weave the stories of their ancestors into every basket.

11/20/2024

Tomorrow: Join Us for the First Stop on Our Georgia Listening Tour in Darien!

The Gullah Geechee community in Georgia has a unique voice, history, and heritage that deserves to be heard and preserved. This Tuesday, November 19th, we’re inviting everyone from the Georgia Gullah Geechee community to join us for an open and impactful Listening Tour session in Darien.

🗓️ Date: Tuesday, Nov. 19
⏰ Time: 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
📍 Location: Sweet Tees Log Cabin 12974 GA-251, Darien, GA 31305

This is your chance to share your experiences, voice community concerns, and help shape the future of our heritage efforts. We’re listening and committed to uplifting Georgia’s Gullah Geechee legacy, but we need your presence and input to make it happen!

Bring your stories, ideas, and vision – let’s come together to strengthen our community and ensure our heritage is honored and protected for generations to come.

Let’s make a powerful impact in Darien tomorrow. We hope to see you there!

11/20/2024

𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐔𝐩𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬!

We have some changes and exciting news for the Gullah Geechee Corridor community:

📅 𝙌𝙪𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙡𝙮 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙞𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙋𝙪𝙗𝙡𝙞𝙘 𝙈𝙚𝙚𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜:
Join us on Saturday, December 14th, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM in Savannah, GA. This hybrid meeting invites the public to share insights, discuss community priorities, and learn more about our ongoing work in preservation, education, and cultural advancement.

🔗 Link https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZctcemtpz8vEtAcM_YiRLZZ0fL3CUbjtrTF For those joining virtually. Please register.

📍 𝙂𝙚𝙤𝙧𝙜𝙞𝙖 𝙇𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙏𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙎𝙩𝙤𝙥𝙨:
𝐃𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧 – Tuesday, Nov. 19 | 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
~ Sweet Tees Log Cabin, 5231 Northway St. Darien GA
𝐒𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐚𝐡 – Wednesday, Nov. 20 | 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
~ Discover Black Savannah, 510 B Martin Luther King Boulevard, Savannah, Georgia 31401

Be part of these sessions to share your voice and connect with others dedicated to preserving Georgia’s Gullah Geechee heritage!

𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐋𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐩𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐍𝐂, 𝐒𝐂, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐋, 𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐐𝟏 𝐨𝐟 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓.

📝 𝙎𝙪𝙗𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝘿𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝙀𝙭𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙙: Submissions now due by November 30th.

❓ 𝙌&𝘼 𝙎𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣:Join us on Friday for a Q&A session to answer your subgrant questions!

🔗 click link to join: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYocemtpjIsGNUpm-loJJibBXz8x9zmhVqO

𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐚 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲! 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐥𝐞𝐝𝐠𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐆𝐮𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐡 𝐆𝐞𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬.

11/20/2024

🏠 The Frances Jones House: A Legacy of Gullah Geechee Heritage and Family 🏠
Originally built in 1865 and known as “Daufuskie Cottage,” the Frances Jones House is a cherished piece of Gullah Geechee history located on Daufuskie Island. This historic farmhouse was constructed just after the Civil War, offering a home for freed African American families who established a tight-knit, self-sustaining farming community along South Carolina’s coast. ✨

Named in honor of Frances Jones, a beloved Gullah Geechee matriarch who lived in the home for many years, this house stands as a testament to her legacy and the vibrant cultural traditions she preserved. Frances Jones, like many in her community, dedicated her life to upholding Gullah traditions, from growing rice and vegetables to crafting intricate sweetgrass baskets and sharing Gullah stories and language with younger generations. Her life embodied the resilience, warmth, and pride that define Gullah Geechee culture. 🌿🧺

Under Frances’s care, the house was not only a family home but a place where Gullah customs thrived—a haven of traditional practices, language, and close-knit community gatherings. Her legacy lives on in every corner of the house, which has been carefully preserved as a symbol of the Gullah people’s enduring heritage and connection to the land.

Today, visitors can step into this living history by staying at the Frances Jones House, where the spirit of her legacy offers a rare glimpse into the heart of Gullah Geechee culture. 🌊✨

11/20/2024

🎉 Countdown to the 2025 Gullah Celebration – Only 80 Days to Go! 🎉

The Gullah Celebration is just around the corner, kicking off on February 1st! This annual event on Hilton Head Island is a joyous tribute to Gullah culture, showcasing traditional art, music, food, and storytelling that celebrate the unique heritage of the Gullah people. 🌾🖤

From vibrant cultural festivals to artist showcases and the can’t-miss Taste of Gullah, the schedule is packed with events for the whole family to enjoy. Mark your calendars and get ready to immerse yourself in the rich traditions that have been passed down for generations!

Visit www.gullahcelebration.org for more details. Let’s together!

11/20/2024

📢 Request for Proposal (RFP) - Executive Director Search Services 📢

Link to full (RFP) -https://gullahgeecheecorridor.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/ED-Search-RFP-Final.pdf

The Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor (GGCHC) is seeking proposals from qualified executive search firms to recruit and hire our next Executive Director! This role is vital in advancing our mission to preserve, sustain, and promote the cultural heritage of the Gullah Geechee people along the southeastern U.S. coastline.

📅 Key Dates:

• RFP Release: November 18, 2024
• Questions Due: December 2, 2024
• Submission Deadline: December 6, 2024
• Firm Selection: December 13, 2024
• Start Date: December 20, 2024

🏢 What We’re Looking For:

• Firms with experience in nonprofit executive searches, ideally those who have worked with cultural or heritage-based organizations.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the recruitment process.

💼 Scope of Work Includes:

1. Initial consultation & needs assessment
2. Diverse candidate sourcing & engagement
3. Screening, vetting, & background checks
4. Interview & selection assistance
5. Hiring support & onboarding

Submission Requirements: Proposals should be in PDF format (max 5 pages) and submitted by 5:00 pm on December 6, 2024, to Dr. Dionne Hoskins-Brown at [email protected].

Help us find the next visionary leader to guide our work in preserving the legacy of the Gullah Geechee people! For more information, visit our website or contact us directly.

10/27/2024

Gullah Culinary Griot: Vertamae Smart-Grovenor Books To Keep In Your Kitchen

Click to read: https://www.blacksouthernbelle.com/gullah-culinary-griot-vertamae-smart-grovenor-books-to-keep-in-your-kitchen/