Gullah Geechee Culture: Land, Legacy, and Living Heritage

Step into the living heritage of the Gullah Geechee people, a vibrant culture shaped by the tidal landscapes and Sea Islands stretching from North Carolina to Florida. Born from communities of West and Central Africans enslaved on rice, indigo, and Sea Island cotton plantations, the Gullah Geechee story is one of resilience, deep connection to place, and cultural traditions that remain powerful today. This presentation explores how the unique geography of the coastal Lowcountry—its winding waterways, fertile marshlands, and remote island communities—helped preserve a distinct language, culinary legacy, craftwork, and environmental knowledge unlike anywhere else in the United States. This program also dives into the modern challenges these communities face, from development pressure to land loss, and highlights ongoing efforts to protect both cultural landscapes and the people who call them home. About our speaker: Djuanna Brockington, Executive Director of the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor, brings decades of community-based heritage work and nonprofit leadership to this conversation. Her warm, story-rich approach offers both historical insight and a compelling look at why protecting cultural landscapes matters for our shared future.