Gullah Geechee-Sierra Leone Cultural Connection Symposium

805 Carteret Street,Beaufort SC 29902

01 December, 2022

Description

Join us at the inaugural Gullah Geechee -Sierra Leone Cultural Connection Symposium to be held on Thursday, December 1, 2022, 9 AM to 5 PM at the University of South Carolina at Beaufort in Beaufort, SC. This event will explore the education and economic connection between Gullah Geechee people and their Sierra Leonean cultural roots. This event is a component of the Sea Island Gullah Christmas Celebration.  The symposium is an opportunity to learn more about the kinship of the Gullah Geechee people and Sierra Leonean people and what does this relationship mean culturally and economically, as well as where do you think we should go from here as we take the next steps in this relationship movement. The day will be filled with panel discussions covering an array of topics that will continue with the narratives of history, culture, education, heritage tourism and economics. Further, we invite you to review the tentative itinerary for the day. As you will see education professionals will gain further knowledge that will allow them to unveil new opportunities and help find innovative solutions in implementing teaching standards on all levels. This symposium is one not to be miss.  This event being co-sponsored by Gullah Traveling Theater Inc, University of South Carolina at Beaufort, Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor, SCETV, South Carolina Parks Recreation Tourism, Beaufort County, Greater Beaufort-Port Royal Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the Gullah Geechee Visitor's Center.  Special acknowledgment and thank you to the Sierra Leone Delegation and Amadu Massally of Fambul Tik for his inspiration and dedication to the Gullah Geechee-Sierra Leone Cultural Connection.  Cost - Educators/Administrators - $55 Students (Classroom Groups Welcome) - $15 For group of five or more, please email Marie Tate, [email protected] to be invoiced. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ We invite you to review the tentative itinerary for the day. As you will see education professionals will gain further knowledge that will allow them to unveil innovative solutions to use in classroom to meet state teaching standards. This symposium is one not to be miss. Gullah Geechee-Sierra Leone Cultural Connection Symposium Thursday, December 1, 2022, 9 AM to 5 PM USCB Center for the Arts, 805 Carteret Street, Beaufort, SC 29902 Tentative Schedule 7:30 - 8:30 AM - Check-in/Registration w/Continental Breakfast 8:30 – 8:55 AM – Symposium Opening 9:00 – 9:50 AM – The Gullah Geechee-Sierra Leone Cultural Connection This event marks the 33rd anniversary of the first Gullah Homecoming to Sierra Leone, which took place in 1989. Panelist will share the kinship of the Sierra Leone and the Gullah Geechee people and what does this relationship mean culturally and economically, as well as where do they think we should go from here as we take the next steps in this relationship movement. 10:00 – 10:50 AM – Teaching the Gullah Geechee-Sierra Leone Connection – Meeting State Education Standards Understanding Gullah history is United States and South Carolina history, panelist will explore teaching the connection between Gullah Geechee people and the Sierra Leonean people to meet state standards for teaching history or should state standards be changed. 11:00 – 11:50 AM – The Gullah Geechee Corridor – A Living Vision The Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor is a National Heritage Area, established by the U.S. Congress on Oct. 12, 2007, to recognize the unique culture of the Gullah Geechee people who have traditionally resided in the coastal areas and the sea islands of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida. This panel will explore the vision of the corridor then and now, 15 years later. 12:00 - 1:00 PM – Lunch & Learn – Rice the Sierra Leone-Gullah Geechee Food Connection – Chef Kevin Mitchell Rice was a major cash crop for South Carolina in the 1700s. Chef Kevin Mitchell will explore what role does it play in Gullah Geechee culture as it relates to Sierra Leone, and what meaning does rice have today to the Gullah Geechee people and its meaning to culinary arts. 1:10 – 1:55 PM – Teaching through Experiences – Gullah Events/Destinations Many people are visual learners. What better way to learn than visiting historic sites and events that spotlight Gullah Geechee culture. Hear from some sites and happenings that will not only educate but entertain you as well. 2:00 – 2:50 PM - Where Do We Go From Here... Heritage Tourism from Shore to Shore Heritage Tourism is number among travelers alike for the state of South Carolina. Panelist will discuss the billion-dollar industry of travel and tourism and how do Gullah Geechee owned and operated entities think and execute globally in marrying culture and economics through partnerships with Sierra Leone. 3:00 – 3:50 PM – Sierra Leone-Gullah Geechee Tourism Empowering the Next Generation This panel, comprised of Gullah Geechee students, college students from USC-Beaufort and exchange students from Sierra Leone, who are working and majoring in travel and tourism, will give us a glimpse of the future as they discuss the travel and tourism industry from their perspective. 4:00 – 4:30 PM – Remarks/Symposium Closing 4:35 – 5:00 PM – Networking ***Note: Panel times are subject to change.