Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition
In 1996 the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition was founded by Marquetta L. Goodwine who has since been enstooled as Queen Quet, Chieftess and Head-of-State for the Gullah/Geechee Nation. At that time, she saw the need to bring people around the world together in order to protect a branch of Africa’s tree that took root in North America which had became a place of consistent “destructionment” and displacement of Gullah/Geechee people.
No other organization in the world existed with “Gullah/Geechee” in the name until the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition came into being. This has become the premiere organization for the continuation of Gullah/Geechee culture and the protection of the rights of Gullah/Geechees.
The Sea Islands and the Lowcountry occupying thirty-five miles inland from Jacksonville, North Carolina to Jacksonville, Florida is now the Gullah/Geechee Nation. Through this region runs the United StatesGullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor that was founded through an act of the United States Congress. The Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition was the leading organization in the effort to have this national designation done. The organization continues to work with the citizens of the Gullah/Geechee Nation to insure that their human rights are protected and that the culture continues for the generations to come.
The Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition
- advocates for the rights of all Gullah/Geechee people around the world
- promotes and participates in the preservation of Gullah/Geechee history, heritage, culture, and language.
- works toward Sea Island land re-acquisition and maintenance.
- celebrates Gullah/Geechee culture through artistic and educational means electronically and via “grassroots scholarship.”
Membership in the Coalition is open to all people around the world that want to work toward these goals. Members and supporters around the world receive “De Conch” ezine on a monthly basis. Members are also subscribed to “De Nayshun Nyews” listserve for updates and conversations.
The Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition’s “Alkebulan Archive” is the ONLY archive in the world totally dedicated to Gullah/Geechee history, heritage, and culture. It is the research base for the International University of the Gullah/Geechee Nation. Currently, the members and supporters of the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition are supporting the digitization of the archive.
The Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition‘s “Gullah/Geechee Living Learning Center” partners with the Yenna Chiren House, Hunting Island Nature Center and the St. Helena Island Branch Library in order to provide monthly programming and workshops on historic St. Helena Island and in Charleston, SC in the Gullah/Geechee Nation.
To apply to do research or stay at the “Hunnuh Home Research & Retreat Center” email GullGeeCo@aol.com.
The Coalition operates the “Hunnuh Home Gullah/Geechee Research & Retreat Center” which is open to researchers and educational groups throughout the year. To apply to do research, email GullGeeCo@aol.com.
-
- Queen Quet & De Gullah Cunneckshun with CNN International crew.
-
- Queen Quet, Chieftess and Head-of-State for the Gullah/Geechee Nation deals with matters of food security and food safety for the Gullah/Geechee Nation daily within her nation and representing her people in these discussions at the United Nations.
-
- Captain Legree teaches cast net making.
-
- CNN International visits.
-
- Students sample Gullah/Geechee cuisine.
-
- Quilting workshop at our sister center, Hunting Island Nature Center.
-
- Queen Quet educates students on the Gullah/Geechee culture.
-
- Gullah/Geechee Sustainability group visits.
-
- De Sankofa Healing Garden
-
- Keeping It Wild works at De Gullah/Geechee Ga’dun
-
- Keeping It Wild works at De Gullah/Geechee Ga’dun
-
- Keeping It Wild works at De Gullah/Geechee Ga’dun
-
- George Washington University engages in community learning and volunteering.
-
- De Reel Pix founder visits the Gullah/Geechee Ga’dun.
-
- Queen Quet works in the fields the traditional Gullah/Geechee way.
-
- US State Department brings Latin visitors to the Gullah/Geechee Ga’dun.
-
- US State Department brings Latin visitors to the Gullah/Geechee Ga’dun.
-
- “Wilmington on Fire” documentary interview.
-
- Students enjoy the garden after De Gullah Root Experience Tour.
-
- Ricky Wright of the Gullah/Geechee Fishing Association works with TogetherGreen fellow, Queen Quet on traditional fishing techniques.
-
- Girl Scouts International brought their girls to experience what hundreds of other Girl Scouts have experienced on De Gullah Root Experience Tour that the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition originated.
Annually the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition is a sponsor of the Gullah/Geechee Nation International Music & Movement Festival™ which moves to different parts of the Gullah/Geechee Nation and areas of the African Diaspora. As well as the host of numerous tour and educational groups at their Gullah/Geechee Coalition Center. To register your group for an authentic Gullah/Geechee tour and/or workshop, email GullGeeCo@aol.com.
Throughout the year, the Coalition has a number of events which are broadcast on Gullah/Geechee Riddim Radio hosted by the founder of the Coalition, Queen Quet. The broadcast was launched for the Coalition’s anniversary in 2009.
Tune in to learn of the many projects that the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition has successfully completed and on-going activities of the organization:
To become a part of the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition
email GullGeeCo@aol.com and to contribute send snail mail to:
Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition
Post Office Box 1207
St. Helena Island SC 29920
Membership and Gullah/Geechee items can also be obtained at the “Gullah/Geechee Nation Online Store”
or you can make a donation and become a member at the same time by supporting the
Gullah/Geechee Land & Legacy Fund
Click here to contribute-> https://www.gofundme.com/f/gullahgeechee-land-amp-legacy-fund
or donate via CashApp to $GullahGeecheeNation .
To become one of the action partners to help keep Gullah/Geechee culture alive on Gullah/Geechee owned land, go to
“Hunnuh mus tek cyare de root fa heal de tree.”
• Queen Quet, Founder of the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition
96 Comments
Trackbacks
- Gullah/Geechee Po’ch Tak Bout Gullah/Geechee, De Sea & De Famlee | Gullah/Geechee Nation
- St. Helena Island in the Gullah/Geechee Nation Celebrates September! | Gullah/Geechee Nation
- Coastal Flooding and Culture in the Gullah/Geechee Nation | Gullah/Geechee Nation
- Gullah/Geechee Foodways and Heritage Days | Gullah/Geechee Nation
- De Gullah/Geechee International Story in Charleston From Reconstruction to Construction | Gullah/Geechee Nation
- De Gullah/Geechee International Story in Charleston From Reconstruction to Construction | Beaufort County Historical Resources Consortium
- Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition & MUSC Host Community Facilitator Training | Gullah/Geechee Nation
- Holdin Pun Gullah/Geechee Land-Heirs Property Uniform Partition Act | Gullah/Geechee Nation
- Engaging with Gullah/Geechee pun Hunnuh Journey | Beaufort County Historical Resources Consortium
- Beaufort Humanities Festival Highlights @GullahGeechee Culture | Beaufort County Historical Resources Consortium
- Gullah-Geechee Community: Hear Us On Climate Change – The Green Market Agorist
- Ep 36: We Don’t Want It | Philanthropy Journal | NC State University
- Queen Quet of the Gullah/Geechee Fighting to Keep Alive a Cultural and an Ecological Family | Gullah/Geechee Nation
- Sea Level Rise and de Sea Islands Certificated Workshop | Gullah/Geechee Nation
- Gullah/Geechee Freedom Celebration | Gullah/Geechee Nation
- Gullah Geechee Nation Strives To Survive - Zenger News
- Gullah Geechee Nation Strives To Survive - ViralTab
- Gullah Geechee Nation Strives To Survive ⋆ 10z Viral
- Gullah Geechee Nation Strives To Survive – DA MIXX
- Gullah Geechee nation strives to survive | New Pittsburgh Courier
- Gullah Geechee Nation Strives To Survive - Voice and Viewpoint
- Gullah/Geechee ENERGY Day | Gullah/Geechee Nation
Love ya Gullah Geechee Nation. May God continue to bless you…..Keep doing what cha do
………Tenki Tenki !
I am elated to hear this talk, this language of my father, and my roots. My father was born in Early Branch, SC. with family in Yamessee and Port Royal, SC. Please tell how I can get a flag and become a member of the Nation?
Peace Brother Myers!
You have to be born in to the nation. It is not an organization for one to become a “member.” You can become a member of the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition (www.gullahgeechee.net) at the same link where you can purchase a flag. Gwine ta http://www.gullahgeechee.biz.
Tenki tenki fa hunnuh support!
Greetings,
My family and I are traveling from Washington, DC to St. Helena, Beaufort and Charleston in the next few days and really want to have an authentic Gullah/Geechee experience. What should we do? Visit? Eat? Any tour you would recommend? We welcome any and all suggestions. Thanks
Peace!
De Gullah Root Experience Tour is done for groups only. There have to be seven or more people or you can be added to an existing group. However, you would have to email exact dates that you will be in Beaufort County to GullGeeCo@aol.com. Go to http://www.gullahgeechee.net and http://www.gullahgeechee.us for details on authentic tours.
Also, go to “MJ’s Soul Food” on St. Helena Island while there as well as to these restaurants in Charleston and Beaufort Counties: http://gullahgeecheenation.com/2012/06/28/cum-nyam-wid-de-gullahgeechee-gullahgeechee-eateries-and-restaurants/.
Enjoy the journey!
Tenki Tenki fa supportin we!
My Father’s family left one of the low country islands when he was a child, along with other branches of the family, that is all of the information I know, other than they traveled to Alabama and most remained there. Is it possible to get information based on names. They were Montgomerys and Stallworths.
Peace!
Unfortunately, those are not common surnames here. However, if you can track the birth and death certificates of the oldest members of the family that you know about, you may find the counties and states of their births on those and that would allow us to help you further.
This is awesome! We grew up with our Geechee Culture/Nation and Beliefs in GA. I have been in Orlando for 15 years. Didn’t know there was a Nation here!! Super happy to have a Village of family. I am starting a new family and a business. Thinking of moving. Is there a Village in Tallahassee?
Peace and Blessings Sister Jenkins-Toussaint!
Gladdee fa yeddi frum hunnuh!
There are Gullah/Geechees that have lived in Tallahassee and there are likely some still there, but not in a village though.
Same here my family left from Brunswick and Chapin, sc area and would also like to know if any affiliation with Bowers,Blackshear, Rozier or Counts?
Peace!
We know some people with those last names, but they are not very common here.
Do you all visit any of the islands when you come to the Charleston area?
We do events on Charleston islands.
How can I find out the next time you are on Edisto Island or Wadmalaw Island?
Follow this blog. If we are having a public event on either, it will get posted here and on our social media.
Peace and blessings.
My birth name is Faith Austin. Samuel Austin is my grandfathers name. His family was last known to be in Raleigh NC but there is talk they came from closer to he coast and a spiritualist told me my ancestors came from an island. His whole family was known to be dark as night with cotton white hair and almost grey eyes.My Grandmother was Esther Mae Joyner and her side also has ties with McCaslin. My Grandmothers side left Abeville soon after freedom and acquired 40 acres and a bull and migrated to Florida. I believe they settled in High Springs/ Orlando area because they knew the benefits of moving to Florida if it was well populated with indigenous people and swampy areas something they may have already been accustomed to.
I would love to know if there any peoples there with those names? If so are they looking for family? I would love to connect with them.
Praying God Bless us all.
Austin is not a common surname here on the coast, but someone else that is following our blog may have a link for you.
Greetings my I am Ernest Ervin my family comes from Georgetown, Sc we are the Smalls, Dorrel, Gilliard, and Jenkins. My family comes from Arcadia, Hobcaw , Kingfield and Bellefeild plantations . Are you all aware of any of these names. I have know that I am more than African American or black. And our old ways have been lost. If you all are my people I would like to learn and preserve our way so that for generations to come we will know who we are.
Peace!
We are familiar with those names. Most excluding “Dorrel” can be found in Charleston and numerous other areas throughout the Gullah/Geechee Nation’s coast beyond Georgetown.
i would like to buy a flag
Go to http://www.GullahGeechee.biz or to http://www.QueenQuet.com . Tenki Tenki!
Do you have a Go Fund Me account on Facebook for people to donate so that no one will lose land because of delinquent taxes?
Peace Ms. Clements!
You con contribute to the Gullah/Geechee Land & Legacy Fund via CashApp to $GullahGeecheeNation or via https://www.gofundme.com/f/gullahgeechee-land-amp-legacy-fund . Tenki Tenki fa hunnuh support!