🌊 Protect St. Helena Island – Preserve the Heart of the Gullah/Geechee Nation

 

St. Helena Island is not just a place. It is a living legacy — home to the Gullah/Geechee Nation, one of the most unique and enduring Afro indegenous cultures in the United States. For generations, the Gullah/Geechee people have preserved their language, foodways, spiritual traditions, and land stewardship on St. Helena.

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But today, that legacy is under threat. Developers continue to push for luxury resorts and golf courses that would erase cultural heritage and displace long-standing communities.

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Why St. Helena Matters

• Cultural Heritage: St. Helena is one of the largest contiguous Gullah/Geechee communities, where traditions remain deeply rooted in everyday life.

• Historic Protection: The island is safeguarded by the Cultural Protection Overlay (CPO) — zoning laws that restrict large-scale development — but those protections are constantly challenged.

• Living Legacy: Elders, storytellers, and spiritual leaders carry forward sacred traditions, while organizations like Penn Center stand as national landmarks of history, education, and civil rights.

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What’s at Stake

If developers succeed, St. Helena risks becoming another tourist playground instead of a cultural sanctuary. Protecting this island is about land justice, cultural sovereignty, and honoring our ancestors.

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Learn More

📖 Gullah Geechee elders work to preserve sacred songs (AP News)
🌍 S.C. county nixes golf course on Gullah Geechee land (Axios)
⚖️ Inside a controversial auction of Gullah-Geechee homes (The Guardian)

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How You Can Help

• Spread the word: Share this campaign with friends, family, and your social networks.

• Stand with the community: Support organizations like the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition, Penn Center, and local cultural preservation groups.

• Take action: Contact local officials and advocate for the full enforcement of the Cultural Protection Overlay.

🗣️ Together, we can ensure St. Helena remains a sanctuary of Gullah/Geechee culture for generations to come.

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Take action by click the link below 

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#ProtectStHelena #GullahGeechee #LandJustice #CulturalHeritage