04 Mar Third Tuesday Lecture explores Gullah-Geechee culture

SOUTHPORT, NC — Descendants of enslaved Africans, the Gullah-Geechee people established a unique culture along the southeastern coast. An upcoming presentation hosted by the N.C. Maritime Museum at Southport will showcase how the early traditions continue to influence to this day.

The Rev. Sean Palmer will present “Everything You Wanted to Know About Gullah-Geechee Culture in Just About 30 Minutes” during the museum’s next Third Tuesday lecture. The series continues March 15 at 7 p.m. at the Southport Community Building, located at 223 E Bay Street in downtown Southport. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.

“We are so lucky to have such an experienced speaker for the March lecture,” Museum Curator of Education Katy Menne said. ““Having earlier listened to Palmer speak so passionately during Gullah-Geechee Corridor meetings, the anticipation of a wonderfully informative talk has been building for months.”

The Rev. Palmer — an alumnus of Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota; Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta; and Duke University in Durham — is the director of the Upperman African-American Cultural Center at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. Beyond his work with UNCW, Palmer is engaged in a number of community pursuits including working in Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, participating as a commissioner on the National Park Services Gullah-Geechee Corridor Commission and serving both as the North Carolina State Director of the Association of Black Cultural Centers (ABCC) and on its National Board. He is currently at work on the book project “Black and Therefore Beautiful: Meditations for My People.”

“There are so many partners involved in this lecture and I am truly looking forward to hearing palmer speak,” Museum Manager Lori Sanderlin said. “I’ve also heard that people in the community are excited to learn more.”

The program is free and open to the public. However, seating is limited. To reserve a seat, call 910-477–5151, email Katy.Menne@ncdcr.gov go online to ncmaritimemuseumsouthport.com/events.

Due to changes in guidance from the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, masks will be optional for those attending the lecture and, as of March 7, those visiting the museum. However, we encourage the use of masks for an added layer of protection and for those who are unvaccinated or at high risk.