Federal Government Issues Approval for Gullah Geechee Corridor

The Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor plan has officially been approved by the Office of the Secretary of the Interior, according to officials.

Established by federal legislation in 2006, the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor is the only one of 49 National Heritage Areas that promotes the living culture of an African-American population.  It spans the coastal communities from Wilmington, North Carolina, through South Carolina and Georgia, to St. Augustine, Florida.

“Please accept my congratulations on the successful planning process that the heritage area partners have accomplished,” Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks Rachel Jacobson wrote.  “I commend you for completing this well conceived plan, and for involving interested citizens and organizations in the planning process. I share your vision for the Corridor, in which we may jointly create an environment that celebrates the legacy and continuing contributions of the Gullah Geechee people.”

U.S. House Assistant Democratic Leader James E. Clyburn (D-SC) credits his efforts toward the creation of the Gullah Geechee Corridor as the most popular bill he has sponsored. “I commend the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor Commission for their four years of intensive work to create this management plan,” he said.  “Their efforts have already brought tremendous attention to the Gullah Geechee culture, and this plan will serve as a blueprint to not only educate people about the culture, but also to ensure its sustainability for future generations.  It is gratifying to see the vision I had for the Corridor coming to fruition, and I thank all of those involved who made this possible.”

Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor Chairman Ronald Daise, said, “We are overjoyed that the Gullah Geechee Corridor’s Management Plan finally has been approved!  It’s a day we’ve been awaiting for a very long time.  Commissioners are ready to partner with grassroots and civic organizations, state and local governments, businesses and individuals to implement programs that will empower and enlighten Gullah Geechee people to sustain the culture.”

Daise said his first thoughts upon receiving notification were to give thanks.  “Thanks to God and to Gullah Geechee ancestors and community members who live the culture.  Thanks for the Gullah Geechee Commission’s Management Plan Review Committee members who worked diligently to produce the plan’s documents and who provided almost endless edits and rewrites.  Thanks to Congressman James Clyburn for his vision and sponsorship of the legislation that created this unique four-state corridor.  And thanks to the National Park Service for its guidance and support throughout this journey.”

The Gullah Geechee Commission began developing the management plan in 2008 and completed its production in 2012.  From information gathered during 21 public engagement meetings throughout the Gullah Geechee Corridor in 2009, commissioners formed the management plan’s approach and framework.

“In the words of an old spiritual, current and former Commissioners and community specialist Michael Allen—who initially served as Gullah Geechee Coordinator—have been ‘workin on a buildin, wit a firm foundation’ for years now,” Daise said.  “The public has watched and waited.  Some grew weary, yet others remain filled with excitement and anticipation.  There’s a growing understanding and acceptance ‘dat Gullah Geechee mean a lot!’, that is, that Gullah Geechee culture and heritage are indeed significant to our American fabric.  There are many who stand ready ‘fa jine we,’ that is, join hands with us to develop programs and ideas that will promote education, documentation and preservation, and economic development among Gullah Geechee people and within Gullah Geechee communities.”  These are the three areas in which prospective partners should strive to develop their partnership applications.

The Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Foundation, a 501(c)(3) and the Gullah Geechee Commission’s only fiscal partner, will begin receiving financial donations to assist the Commission to reach its goals and vision on July 1. Currently, tax-deductible donations to the Gullah Geechee Commission may be made at the Corridor’s website www.gullahgeecheecorridor.org.