Queen Quet, Chieftess of the Gullah/Geechee Nation, Honored with “Excellence in Education Award” by Planting People Growing Justice

Gullah/Geechee Nation ♦ October 23, 2025 ♦ 2 Comments

Queen Quet, Chieftess and Head-of-State of the Gullah/Geechee Nation, has been awarded the prestigious “Excellence in Education Award” by Planting People Growing Justice, the leadership and literacy initiative founded and led by Dr. Artika R. Tyner. The recognition celebrates her decades-long commitment to education, literacy, and cultural empowerment across the Gullah/Geechee Nation and beyond.

“Education is the lantern by which our children see themselves clearly, rooted in their ancestry, empowered for their future.”
• Queen Quet, Chieftess, Gullah/Geechee Nation

“We believe that community change begins with a story, a book, and a child’s imagination. To present this award to Queen Quet honors a lifetime of service to culture, learning, and collective liberation.”
• Dr. Artika R. Tyner, Founder & CEO, Planting People Growing Justice

In her role as Chair of the 41st Annual Penn Center Heritage Days Celebration, Queen Quet has worked closely with the Heritage Days committee to place literacy, learning, and youth engagement at the heart of this year’s programming. A signature event, Family & Youth Day, will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 6, 2025, at the Penn Center National Historic Landmark and the St. Helena Branch Library. This day of free, interactive cultural heritage activities is open especially to school and homeschool families as well as nursery and Pre-K students, who are strongly encouraged to register in advance. Queen Quet will be personally presenting during the event, sharing her passion for education, culture, and community.

Elevating Education Through Culture

Queen Quet’s leadership is rooted in a deep belief that cultural identity and literacy are inseparable. Throughout the Gullah/Geechee Nation, she has long championed education as essential to sustaining heritage, fostering pride, and equipping youth for future success. Under her stewardship, this year’s Heritage Days will emphasize:

• Youth-centered programming with history, cultural heritage arts, a genealogy workshop, films and youth-led performances
• Hands-on literacy activities connecting Gullah/Geechee history, language, and literature
• Opportunities for intergenerational learning, as elders, culture bearers, and students come together
• Free access and registration for families, ensuring educational equity and community inclusion

Queen Quet’s advocacy for education aligns with Planting People Growing Justice’s mission to plant seeds of social change through reading and literacy. Under Dr. Tyner’s vision, the organization promotes books and literacy initiatives that empower Black children and community learners. In alignment with the PPGJ slogan: “Leaders are Readers!” free books will be provided to educators and students. Queen Quet is not only leading the way with Gullah/Geechee advocacy and empowerment but in education. Congratulations Queen Quet!

About the Partners & the Award

Planting People Growing Justice (PPGJ) is a nonprofit leadership institute and social justice press founded by Dr. Artika R. Tyner. Its work centers on literacy, youth empowerment, and community engagement, guided by the philosophy that “leaders are readers.”

The “Excellence in Education Award” is conferred to individuals whose contributions to literacy, mentoring, and educational equity demonstrate extraordinary impact. In honoring Queen Quet, PPGJ recognizes not only her decades of cultural stewardship but her consistent elevation of learning, cultural presentations, and youth development in the Gullah/Geechee community.

As a public figure, Queen Quet is known for her advocacy in cultural preservation, environmental justice, and indigenous leadership. (www.queenquet.com)

Registration & Participation

Penn Center Heritage Days Celebration Family & Youth Day is free and open to the public, especially welcoming school and homeschool families as well as nursery and Pre-K children. Advance registration is strongly encouraged to ensure participation in workshops, performances, and interactive sessions.

Date & Time: Thursday, November 6, 2025, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Location: Penn Center National Historic Landmark District 16 Penn Center Circle & St. Helena Branch Library on St. Helena Island, SC in the Gullah/Geechee Nation
What to expect: Cultural presentations, language arts, youth performances, historical tours, arts & crafts, reading corners, and presentation by Queen Quet

All are invited to join in celebrating heritage, literacy, and intergenerational connection. For more information and to register, visit www.PennCenter.com or go to EventBrite:

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About the Gullah/Geechee Nation & Penn Center Heritage Days Celebration

The Gullah/Geechee Nation is a culturally distinct community of descendants of West and Central Africans, whose culture and language have endured along the Sea Islands and coastal Lowcountry from North Carolina to Florida. www.GullahGeecheeNation.com

The Penn Center Heritage Days Celebration, now in its 41st year, is an annual signature event that honors Gullah/Geechee heritage, arts, traditions, and learning. Each year, cultural programming, performances, vendors, and educational activities draw families and global visitors to the Penn Center National Historic Landmark District on St. Helena Island.

Through the synergy of heritage and literacy, this year’s celebration under Queen Quet’s leadership aims to inspire young learners and honor elders, bridging past, present, and future.