Discover the 30th Annual Gullah Celebration on Hilton Head Island, a vibrant showcase honoring three decades of the rich cultural heritage and history of the Gullah people on Hilton Head Island.
Operating under the jurisdiction of the Planning Commission and with considerable public input, the Gullah-Geechee Land and Cultural Preservation Task Force identifies and assists in the preservation of The Gullah-Geechee culture for the purpose of detecting and resolving issues specific to its community, including, without limitation, heirs property, taxes and land use, economic and sustainability issues for an improved quality of life, and education of the community.
Join us for an evening conversation with author Keith Rushing as he discusses his book Descended: Searching for My Gullah-Geechee Roots. This program explores his journey into his ancestral past and the history of Gullah Geechee culture—tracing the path from enslavement to freedom and independent community life on a nearly all-Black island in the 20th century.
Join the Gullah Geechee Historic Neighborhoods CDC for our Monthly Board Meeting. Share insights during the public comment period and help shape our efforts to preserve Gullah Geechee heritage, advance affordable housing, and strengthen local entrepreneurship.
Join the Gullah Geechee Historic Neighborhoods CDC for our Monthly Board Meeting. Share insights during the public comment period and help shape our efforts to preserve Gullah Geechee heritage, advance affordable housing, and strengthen local entrepreneurship.
Join Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park for the 2026 Blue & BBQ Annual Fundraising Benefit, a unique event combining music, food, and immersive activities with a Modern Cowboy twist.
Children and families are invited to enjoy a fun, family-friendly day filled with activities that celebrate community, togetherness, and the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Join the Gullah Geechee Historic Neighborhoods CDC for our Monthly Board Meeting. Share insights during the public comment period and help shape our efforts to preserve Gullah Geechee heritage, advance affordable housing, and strengthen local entrepreneurship.
Sankofa Nights is a unique way of bringing diverse people to a family-style table for an intimate evening with a master storyteller.
Hilton Head Island offers a vibrant tapestry of food, music, and culture year-round—but during the holidays, the Lowcountry truly comes alive. As Juneteenth approaches on June 19th, there’s no better place to commemorate this historic day than Hilton Head Island. Beyond its scenic outdoor spaces, diverse culinary experiences, and family-friendly activities, the island is deeply rooted in African-American history and heritage. It is home to Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park—the first self-governed town for formerly enslaved people in the United States. Today, descendants of Mitchelville’s founders preserve and celebrate their legacy, keeping alive the language, art, and traditions that have shaped generations and continue to inspire the pursuit of freedom and cultural pride.
Join the Gullah Geechee Historic Neighborhoods CDC for our Monthly Board Meeting. Share insights during the public comment period and help shape our efforts to preserve Gullah Geechee heritage, advance affordable housing, and strengthen local entrepreneurship.
Join the Gullah Geechee Historic Neighborhoods CDC for our Monthly Board Meeting. Share insights during the public comment period and help shape our efforts to preserve Gullah Geechee heritage, advance affordable housing, and strengthen local entrepreneurship.
Join the Gullah Geechee Historic Neighborhoods CDC for our Monthly Board Meeting. Share insights during the public comment period and help shape our efforts to preserve Gullah Geechee heritage, advance affordable housing, and strengthen local entrepreneurship.
Join the Gullah Geechee Historic Neighborhoods CDC for our Monthly Board Meeting. Share insights during the public comment period and help shape our efforts to preserve Gullah Geechee heritage, advance affordable housing, and strengthen local entrepreneurship.
Join the Gullah Geechee Historic Neighborhoods CDC for our Monthly Board Meeting. Share insights during the public comment period and help shape our efforts to preserve Gullah Geechee heritage, advance affordable housing, and strengthen local entrepreneurship.
Join the Gullah Geechee Historic Neighborhoods CDC for our Monthly Board Meeting. Share insights during the public comment period and help shape our efforts to preserve Gullah Geechee heritage, advance affordable housing, and strengthen local entrepreneurship.
Join the Gullah Geechee Historic Neighborhoods CDC for our Monthly Board Meeting. Share insights during the public comment period and help shape our efforts to preserve Gullah Geechee heritage, advance affordable housing, and strengthen local entrepreneurship.
Join the Gullah Geechee Historic Neighborhoods CDC for our Monthly Board Meeting. Share insights during the public comment period and help shape our efforts to preserve Gullah Geechee heritage, advance affordable housing, and strengthen local entrepreneurship.
In observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s call to service, volunteers will help clean and preserve historic Gullah cemeteries on Daufuskie Island, honoring the Gullah Geechee community through stewardship of these sacred spaces.
Join the Gullah Geechee Historic Neighborhoods CDC for our Monthly Board Meeting. Share insights during the public comment period and help shape our efforts to preserve Gullah Geechee heritage, advance affordable housing, and strengthen local entrepreneurship.
Join the community for a meaningful day honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., beginning with the Memorial March, followed by an inspiring program featuring music, speakers, and the MLK Community Service Award. The day concludes with a Fellowship Luncheon, offering time to connect, reflect, and celebrate Dr. King’s enduring legacy.
In observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s call to service, volunteers will help clean and preserve historic Gullah cemeteries on Hilton Head Island, honoring the Gullah Geechee community through stewardship of these sacred spaces.
Join community members and faith leaders for an interfaith service honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., featuring prayer, music, and shared reflections centered on unity, peace, and service.
Join the Gullah Geechee Historic Neighborhoods CDC for our Monthly Board Meeting. Share insights during the public comment period and help shape our efforts to preserve Gullah Geechee heritage, advance affordable housing, and strengthen local entrepreneurship.
Join the Gullah Geechee Historic Neighborhoods Community Development Corporation for an evening of celebration at the 2025 Holiday Reception. Hosted at the Port Royal Golf & Racquet Club, this gathering honors our shared heritage, community spirit, and the year’s accomplishments across Hilton Head Island’s historic neighborhoods. Guests will enjoy a warm, festive atmosphere, light holiday refreshments, and meaningful connections with residents, partners, and supporters who continue to advance preservation and community development efforts.
Experience the magic of the season at the 5th Annual Holiday Nights & Lights at Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park! From December 6–8, cruise through a twinkling winter wonderland filled with festive light displays, holiday music on your car radio, and surprises for all ages. This free, family-friendly drive-thru event offers a safe and joyful way to celebrate the holidays from the comfort of your vehicle. Donations are welcome to support the Park’s mission.
Join us for a free Homebuying Workshop in Bluffton, covering credit, down payment assistance, and the mortgage process for aspiring homeowners. Industry experts will provide actionable guidance and answer your questions to help you take the next step toward homeownership.
Explore the resilience of Gullah Geechee land stewardship in Gaining Ground, a free Sankofa Nights screening revealing how Black communities are reclaiming their agricultural heritage.
Local entrepreneurs are invited to a mini business expo and seminar hosted by the Gullah Geechee Historic Neighborhoods CDC and the Town of Hilton Head Island. Meet one on one with Town staff to discuss licensing, permitting, facilities, procurement, public projects, and Fire Rescue. The South Carolina Commission for Minority Affairs will provide guidance on small and diverse business certifications.
A vibrant three-day festival usually held in November at Penn Center (formerly Penn School) on St. Helena Island, SC, Heritage Days is a time-honored tradition celebrating the deep roots and resilient culture of the Gullah‑Geechee community in America’s Lowcountry.
First established in 1981 as a successor to the original “Harvest Days,” this beloved festival honors both Penn Center’s legacy and the enduring heritage of the Sea Islands. Attendance typically ranges from 5,000 to 8,000 visitors each year, who gather to experience rich folklore, art, and cultural expression.
A richly immersive performance series centered around Gullah‑Geechee culture, blending live music, storytelling, historical insights, and local cuisine into each experience. Often structured like an intimate talk‑show set in musical form, the event highlights notable Gullah individuals, their stories, artistry, and contributions to the Lowcountry community.
The Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park proudly presents the 2025 Historic Mitchelville Film Series, an annual showcase of compelling films that explore African American history, culture, and the enduring legacy of resilience. This year’s event will feature a selection of thought-provoking films followed by engaging discussions with distinguished speakers. Attendees will have the opportunity to reflect on history, celebrate culture, and engage in meaningful conversations that connect the past with the present.
We invite you to join us monthly for our engaging Money Talks sessions, designed to help you grow your business. Think outside the bank: unlock creative funding ecosystems designed to fuel purpose-led ventures.
Presented by the Gullah Museum of Hilton Head Island, this annual festival fosters appreciation of the rich Gullah–Geechee traditions that have shaped the Lowcountry landscape. From culinary arts to language and history, the experience offers immersive insights into this unique cultural heritage.
The Lowcountry Fish & Grits Music Festival raises awareness about the unique Gullah Geechee culture, highlighting its evolution and connection to the African diaspora through music, entertainment, food, visual and performing arts, and community engagement.
We invite you to join us monthly for our engaging Money Talks sessions, designed to help you grow your business. Chart a compliant, tax-efficient course: master the legal and fiscal frameworks that underpin sustainable business growth.
This will be an evening of elegance, excellence, and empowerment. This is the NAACP 1st annual Freedom Fund Gala. Its an opportunity to come in style, to honor our past, uplift our future and celebrate what makes us powerful - our people.
Empowered by BlacQuity, the Roots & Rivers Festival is a dynamic celebration of Black culture, creativity, and entrepreneurship, held annually in Bluffton, South Carolina. This vibrant community event brings together local families, businesses, artists, and changemakers for a day of music, food, fellowship, and empowerment.
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