Goldwater Supports and Sustains Coastal Cultures at 11th Annual Conference

April 7, 2024, Saint Helena, SC -- Goldwater Ventures supported the 2024 Coastal Cultures Conference. This event was sponsored by the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition, the Gullah/Geechee Sustainability Think Tank, the Gullah/Geechee Legacy, All Mobile Productions™(AMP™), the Gullah/Geechee Angel Network, and the Gullah/Geechee Cultural Community Trust. The event took place 'pon de historic St. Helena Island, SC, and in Savannah, GA. The conference, centered around "Gullah/Geechee & Biodiversity," featured a range of activities spanning from environmental sustainability projects to cultural celebrations, including the Gullah/Geechee Living Marketplace featuring native artisans and the Gullah/Geechee Black & Gold Ball attended by conference attendees and local community members.

Its aim was to introduce participants to the vibrant Gullah/Geechee culture and history, to demonstrate its impact on climate change and overdevelopment, and to foster a deeper understanding between diverse coastal cultures. The conference was attended by the U.S. Department of Commerce, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the US Patent and Trademark Office, South Carolina and Florida environmental agencies, two major environmental research universities, as well West African, Native American, and Latin American environmental and cultural groups like Blacks in Marine Science (BIMS) and the Hispanic Access Foundation. These events highlighted the rich cultural tapestry of the Gullah/Geechee Nation, and set a blueprint for how governmental agencies should engage with indigenous and traditionalist communities with respectful and meaningful engagement.

With its deep roots in the Gullah/Geechee community and an active member of the Gullah/Geechee Cultural Sustainability Think Tank, Goldwater Ventures demonstrated its steadfast commitment to cultural sustainability. Queen Quet recognized the work of Goldwater Founder and President, A. Prince Albert III, and awarded him a treasured token of appreciation. Reflecting on the successful conference, Prince shared his insights: “The Coastal Cultures Conference celebrates ALL coastal cultures and not just Gullah/Geechee culture. The Conference proliferates a Gullah/Geechee Nation-specific paradigm of how federal and state agencies can and should engage with indigenous and traditionalist communities with treasured lifeways. It’s also a global exemplar of how traditionalist communities worldwide should lead cultural sustainability and environmental stewardship with governments and NGOs." Prince is also the Chairman of the Gullah/Geechee Cultural Community Trust.

Charles E. Morrison (CF’24) the inaugural Goldwater IMPACT Fellow, (acronym for Innovative Minds Promoting Ambitious Cultural Transformation) highlighted the importance of integrating cultural heritage into urban planning: "My work with Goldwater Ventures has allowed me to explore how Gullah/Geechee culture can thrive in modern landscapes. This conference has been a significant milestone in understanding and promoting these sustainable practices in place-making and urban planning."

Goldwater Ventures' integral involvement in the Coastal Cultures Conference underscores its mission “to empower people to address social problems sustainably,” with a strong focus on endangered cultural communities. By aligning with the Gullah/Geechee Nation and contributing to the broader discourse on coastal cultural sustainability, Goldwater Ventures advocates for Gullah/Geechee heritage and inspires a global appreciation and respect for all coastal cultures.