Gullah/Geechee Creating Resilience

Gullah/Geechee Nation ♦ February 19, 2025 ♦ Leave a comment

The Gullah/Geechee Saving Environmental Actions (SEA) & Marine Environment (ME) Program of the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition has used a myriad of tools to enhance the resilience and sustainability of the Sea Islands in the Gullah/Geechee Nation. One of the most successful aspects of this on-going program is the “Gullah/Geechee Coastal Removal Engaging Artists Through Environment (CREATE) project. On February 1st, the first Gullah/Geechee CREATE Artwork Showcase was hosted on historic St. Helena Island, SC and the artwork was viewed and judged by a multicultural and multigenerational audience.

Queen Quet, Chieftess of the Gullah/Geechee Nation envisioned the concept and was proud to find out that South Carolina Sea Grant and the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration took interest in it. They were joined by the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation in supplying funding for this. They finally get to see the return on their investment as the showcases continue with the other collaborating partners. Queen Quet is inviting everyone to join her in Conway, SC as the Gullah Preservation Society host the event on Saturday, February 22nd and then Saturday, March 29th in Charleston, SC:

In addition to “Gullah/Geechee CREATE,” the Lil Fish Project is officially being launched in March which is “Gullah/Geechee Volunteer Month.” The Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition and the Gullah/Geechee Futures Project are collaborating on an exhibit unveiling at “Atkins Live Bait” which is run by Gullah/Geechee Fishing Association Founding member, Ed Atkins. March 1, 2025 at 10 am folks can come out and enjoy the opening and learn more about Gullah/Geechee fishing traditions at the bait shop.

The unveiling will be followed by a community engagement and input session regarding the water health and safety in the region. The Salkahatchie Watershed Community Action Team will host this session at Frissell Community House at Penn Center, Inc. from 1 to 3 pm on Saturday, March 1st.

The Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition is looking forward to hosting volunteers and participants during the annual “Coastal Cultures Conference” which will include Gullah/Geechee CREATE Day activities.

This event will be followed by a series of salt marsh cleanups and educational events on the Golden Isles of Georgia. Including “the “Great American Cleanup.””Marsh Madness” entitled “Gullah/Geechee CREATE Days on the Golden Isles.” Register today:

To learn how to participate in this and other “Gullah/Geechee Volunteer Month” activities, email GullGeeCo@aol.com.

The Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition and the Gullah/Geechee Coastal Outreach Adaptation Sustainability Team (COAST) are determined to create a more resilient Gullah/Geechee Nation in order to keep Gullah/Geechee culture alive and thriving. Cum jayn we fa disya!