(Washington, DC) – House Majority Whip and Sixth District Congressman James E. Clyburn is bringing a little bit of the Gullah/Geechee culture to Washington, DC later this month. Dr. Emory Campbell, Chair of the Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor Commission, and Michael Allen, the National Park Services Gullah/Geechee Coordinator, will participate in a forum at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Annual Legislative Conference on Thursday, September 24th. The forum will explore the Commission’s efforts to recognize and sustain an environment that celebrates the legacy and continuing contributions of Gullah/Geechee people to our American heritage.
“There has been so much excitement generated by the creation of the Gullah/Geechee Heritage Corridor that I wanted my colleagues in Washington to learn of the extraordinary work the Commission is doing to preserve and protect this unique culture,” Congressman Clyburn said. “We also want to give CBC ALC participants an opportunity to give the Commission input on the future of the Corridor as they work toward a comprehensive management plan.”
In 2006, Congressman Clyburn authored legislation that Congress enacted establishing the Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor, which extends roughly from Wilmington, NC to Jacksonville Florida. In early 2009, the Commission embarked on a series of 21 public meetings for the development of a management plan that will take three years to complete.
Over the coming months, the Commission will work diligently to develop strategies for expanding partnership and fund raising. The Commission will also be seeking additional comments from governmental entities, elected officials, and local residents on how Gullah/Geechee resources, arts, and traditions should be preserved, interpreted and managed in the future.
The forum on September 24th at the Washington Convention Center Room 143B from 9:30-10:30 AM is an excellent opportunity to be part of the Commission’s planning process and to learn more about the Gullah/Geechee culture.
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