Georgia Southern University’s Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Center held a ribbon cutting, grand opening and Juneteenth Celebration, Monday, June 19 at the Armstrong Campus.
Arriving early, I watch food trucks line up while TV reporters show up with new multimedia journalists and interns. With so many new young faces, I make introductions and turn the camera on the youngsters to get a group pic before we all start to work.
Loaded with info from GSU’s Communications Manager Melanie Simon, I learn that the new center’s mission is to honor the contributions made by Gullah Geechee people, provide educational resources for the public, promote scholarship and research and serve as a model for national reparations and reconciliation.
Walking up to the center, I see a wicked-smart dude that I have known for close to two decades. Say hey to Dr. Amir Jamal Toure. With a degree in law, the professor and tour guide has devoted his life to educating his hometown residents and travelers about the stories and unique culture of the Gullah Geechee people.
After Jamal talks with Chatham County Commission Chairman Chester Ellis, I get an introduction to the chairman’s wife of 49 years, Wilmotine. Wearing a colorful Juneteenth shirt, the gregarious lady is chill when asked to pose for a pic between the two gentlemen.
Next up I see The Naked Dog’s Jim Hood talking with Sweet Spice’s Donovan Smith and Maui Wowi Hawaiian Coffees and Smoothies’ Mary Dorleus. Posing the foodie peeps together in a perfect pic, I make sure to introduce them to the TV reporters before we head over for the program greeting from Maxine Bryant, Ph.D.
The Gullah Geechee Center director is one dynamic lady. Praising GSU and the community for bringing “the vision of culture and academics together”, Dr. Bryant welcomes us, then we hear from Savannah Mayor Van Johnson, Chairman Ellis, Reverend Betty Jones, Amir Jamal Toure, Victoria Smalls, Queen Quet and Carl Reiber Ph.D.
After the ribbon cutting, I head over to hug Lydia Rayner-Syed and catch up with the New York Life Insurance agent and Grace & Deliverance Kingdom Church of Christ Pastor. “I’m preparing a trip to Kenya with Bernice Loman’s Christian Business Owners Summit Savannah team to empower the people of Kehancha with financial strategies and legacy building.”
While talking with Lydia about leaving an uber-successful radio career to help people find their financial as well as spiritual paths, I realize that I have known Lydia for 23 years. My heart is filled with pride knowing that she is doing exactly what she is supposed to be doing.
Holding the door open for guests is GSU Director of Government Affairs and alumnus Brian Harris. After a pic of Brian with Xscape Hair Salon owner Tammy Stone, I head inside to meet Savannah Arts Academy students and Sankofa Center for the Arts, 14 year old Jezel Lawrence and 15 year old Syke Bhe.
Next up, the fabulous DeAndre Bouyer waves me over for a pic with his fellow Saltwata Players,k Patt Gunn and Rozz Rouse. The Gullah Geechee local folk art performance group will be entertaining us later but for now DeAndre is introducing me to The Truth Telling Project’s Jennifer Crais.
The Connecticut native moved here three-and-a-half months ago and can’t seem to understand why anyone would be curious about her! Welcome to the South! We ask questions like, “Tell me about your project?” Her reply is perfect! “We are an issue advocacy organization that amplifies the voices of the traditionally silenced and disenfranchised on everything from police brutality to state sanctions.”
Another young lady with a mission to make a change is former Mayor Otis Johnson’s daughter Alexis Williamson. The 22 year old Duke University grad is Columbia Law School bound and shares, “To understand the status quo, there is no better place to start than law school. I want to make a change, and that starts with understanding.”
You know that Mayor Johnson is one proud papa!
Powerful women seem to be a theme today, because the mighty Lillian Grant-Baptiste is in the house! The master storyteller, guardian and gatherer/keeper of Gullah Geechee history and culture is also one of Savannah’s best dressed. Wearing a Cowrie shell necklace, Lillian tells me, “Cowrie was once used as currency and is a symbol of life.”
As we sit down to cool off from the summer heat, I talk with the Savannah native about her afternoon Juneteenth presentation to the employees of the Historic Fairfield Inn, her love of reading and walking on the beach.
With the crowds making their way past tables of vendors to watch unique performances, I manage to sit for a chat with Georgia Southern Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Carl Reiber, Ph.D.
The son of a career military father tells me he has lived in many places, but loves Savannah the most.“This is home. I love the sense of community, the growing vibrant city and mostly the people,” shares Dr. Reiber. I have always thought of the VP as a quiet introspective kind of guy, and after talking with him about his 86 year old Vietnam veteran dad, I feel like I have a new friend in my GSU universe!
Thinking of Amir Jamal’s quote, “It will augment the work that is already being done by the people and organizations in this area” and Dr. Bryant’s speech where she says, “We will honor the freedom of enslaved Black Americans and the Gullah Geechee culture that has preserved more African traditions than any other group” - I know this center will spiritedly represent the 27 counties along the Gullah Geechee Corridor that stretches from Florida to North Carolina.
Take a bow, and picture a standing ovation Dr. Bryant and Dr. Reiber, you deserve it!
