Asishmae is a Black, non-binary Southern writer, poet, producer and community worker from the Southeast US. With a background covering film, curation, language arts, and performance, they are a co-creator of both the online writing platform For The Scribes and the curation hub IllVibe the Tribe, current show-runner of the oldest vintage market in the city, The Holy City Vintage Market, as well as the Second Poet Laureate of Charleston, SC.

Born and raised in Charleston, SC, personal chef and caterer Benjamin “BJ” Dennis infuses the flavors and culture of the Lowcountry into his Gullah Geechee cuisine, bringing a new taste to an ever expanding culinary palate of the south.What differentiates Chef BJ’s food from his contemporaries in “southern” cooking is the homage he pays to the Gullah Geechee culture, brought to the Americas by West Africans, and disseminated along the West Indies and the American South. Dennis infuses the techniques of his ancestors, learned from four years of study in St. Thomas, as well as the lessons of his grandparents about eating from the land, to create fresh interpretations of local dishes focusing on in-season, locally sourced vegetables and seafood. Recent trips to Trinidad and Tobago, Haiti, Barbados, Dominica, U.S. Virgin Islands, Angola, Bahamas and Benin has brought his work full circle. Connecting the people and cultures of the African diaspora through food. Bringing back a true taste of Gullah Geechee culture.

Born and raised on Hilton Head into one of the oldest native families in the Spanish Wells community, Omolola “Lola” Campbell is of Gullah descent. Growing up in the Lowcountry, and born into the rich Gullah culture, one where community and heritage are key, Lola has learned many life gems from her elders. She has always considered finding her life purpose and following her dreams as very important for survival and personal success. A formally trained lawyer, Lola works, by day, as a senior derivatives counsel in the demanding financial industry. However, her passion has always been to help others find the magic that makes their souls soar, through helping them to find their own divine purpose. Lola is a graduate of The University of Georgia and Howard University School of Law. If she isn’t spending time with her friends and family, you can almost always find her doing community work, journaling or exploring the local area with her adventurous eleven year old son, Jaylen. Writings On The Wall is Lola’s first book.

Valentine Dexter Provost has been in ministry for 23 years. He has been serving as an Associate Minister at the St James Baptist Church for the last 5 years. Minister Provost is a native of the island of Jamaica. He is married to Pastor Sandra Provost, and they have been married for 22 years. Minister Provost is the father of three (3) children and one adopted child. Minister Provost joined the St. James Baptist Church in August 2017. While at St James, Provost became a licentiate minister in September 2018. In February 2022, he was ordained at The Calvary Evangelistic COG in Kingston, Jamaica.

Minister Valentine Dexter Provost is a committed messenger of the Lord God Almighty and a servant to his people.

Felton Eaddy, poet, singer, arts educator and professor, lives in Dillon, South Carolina. He Studied English at Claflin University, and creative writing at Johns Hopkins University. His poems have appeared in African American Review, Catalyst Magazine, Out of the Rough and Crux. Author of Bending Over to Pick up a Snake and Living by the Sword, Eaddy is a poet and teaching artist who contracts with Georgia, South Carolina, Atlanta, Fulton County, GA and Young Audiences of Atlanta as a literary artist. Professor emeritus at Clark Atlanta University, the poet founded and hosts Felton Eaddy’s Poetry Kitchen, a long-term project which features poets in performance.

Amiri Geuka Farris is a renaissance man. A mutli-hyphenate artist, he has worked in almost every medium imaginable. His art is bold, expressive, and completely different - inspired by his own life experiences and the materials at hand. Featured in over 50 solo exhibitions and juried museum shows nationally and internationally, Amiri is a true trailblazer whose work explores topics such as diaspora, culture, memory, and perception.

Alvin began teaching in the Orangeburg county schools and am currently teaching middle and high school art in the Dorchester, SC county public schools. I grew up in Dorchester, South Carolina, during the end of Jim Crow law.

I  received my Bachelors' of Fine Arts from South Carolina State College in 1979, emphasizing education.  My portraiture convey emotion through their expression, gesture, and adornments, often placed in a low country, historically reminiscent environments. Equal to the history my figures embody, they also speak of a spiritual influence flowing with compassion and empathy. In this regard, my work is uniquely distinctive.

In 1985, I returned to Dorchester, SC. From 1974 to 1985, I lived in Orangeburg, SC, where I attended college, married Barbara, we began our family and my Christian life.

Meldon Hollis most recently served as a Visiting Professor of Political Science at Savannah State University. Prior to joining the faculty at Savannah State, he served as Associate Director of the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities. In that capacity, he worked with federal departments and agencies to assure access and participation in federal programs for more than 100 HBCUs. His areas of responsibility included science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) programs, international programs, and emergency management. He served as the first Executive Director of the White House Initiative under President Carter. His most recent work involves FEMA outreach to the Gullah/Geechee communities of the Atlantic Coast seaward islands and other “underserved” communities. Prior to joining the White House Initiative for a second time in 2009, he served as a Coordinator of Intergovernmental Affairs at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). At FEMA he also served in the Katrina Policy Group, in the Individual Assistance Branch, and asan Appeals Officer in the Public Assistance Branch. He has also served as a university administrator at the University of Maryland, Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary for Education at the Department of Health, Education and Welfare (HEW), Vice President for University Relations at Texas Southern University, and in the Office of the President at Harvard University. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Hilton Head Island Gullah Museum. He received his education at the U.S. Military Academy, the University of Maryland, Harvard University, and the University of Legon in Ghana, West Africa. He holds a master’s degree in Government and Politics from the University of Maryland, a master’s degree in Public Administration and a Juris Doctor degree from Harvard University. He is married to Jenetha McCutcheon Hollis and lives in Hardeeville, S.C. He has lived in France and Germany and has travelled to more than 40 countries.

Brittany Porcher aka Ttruthseeker_thepoet (she/her) is an emerging black southern multi-disciplinary artist inclusive of writer, thespian, spoken word artist and slam poet hailing from the small rural town of Awendaw, SC. Brittany completed her BA in Culinary Arts and Food Service Management at Johnson and Wales University Charlotte, pursuant of a MFA in Creative Writing. Her words merge Christian doctrine, blackness, humor, faith and all unabashed truths tearing sunshine out from the things that make us whole. Notable feats include being a Watering Hole Fellow with work published in South Carolina Bards Poetry Anthology. FreeVerse Slam Champ and Griot & Grey Owl Slam Champ among other higher-ranking accomplishments both regionally and nationally. She’s been featured at numerous, note-worthy venues garnering much acclaim for her esoteric words and her “holy ghost, fire baptized!” performances. She lives by these words: “What we have, is all that we need. Oh, and someone once said I sounded like Denzel Washington. Now, I spend my days writing acceptance speeches.”

African drum and dance company from Charleston South Carolina whose mission is to Up Lift Spirits one dance at a time. Performing February 17, 2024 at our Gullah Celebration and Market.

Willie Lee Kinard III is a Black nonbinary poet, designer, editor & musician forged in Newberry, South Carolina. A 2023 Ruth Lilly & Dorothy Sargent Rosenberg Poetry Fellow, their musings include gospel surrealism, Black romance & superstition. With written work appearing in Obsidian, Poem-A-Day, Best New Poets 2022, Boston Review, The Rumpus, & elsewhere, he is the author of Orders of Service (Alice James Books, 2023), winner of the 2022 Alice James Award, & a self-published chapbook-mixtape, chroma. (2016). The recipient of fellowships & support from The Watering Hole, The Pittsburgh Foundation, & a Pushcart Prize nomination, Kinard currently teaches at the University of South Carolina. Go see ‘bout them at www.williekinard.com.

Since moving to Hilton Head in 1977, Pastor Hay has become an integral part of the Gullah community. He joined Central Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church in 1978 and served as a deacon from 1980 to 1997. His pursuit of further education led him to study at the SC Baptist Seminary and fulfill the licensing requirements for Pastoral Leadership. In September 1997, Pastor Hay received his license as a Baptist minister and delivered his inaugural sermon titled "What is Man That thou art mindful of Him?". He served as an associate minister at Central Oak Grove until 2006 and then took on the role of pastor at Zion Fair Missionary Baptist Church in Varnville, SC from October 2006 to September 2014. Following his tenure at Zion Fair, Pastor Hay served as a visiting pastor at Daufuskie Island's First Union African.

Driven by a deep sense of spiritual calling, Pastor Hay continued his educational journey, honing his understanding and application of Biblical teachings. This pursuit led him to earn his Doctorate of Divinity degree with honors from the Partners to the Promise Christian College in June 2022. Engaged in daily study and reflection on scripture, Pastor Hay exemplifies a devout commitment to his faith. In addition to his spiritual endeavors, he finds joy in travel, reading, and sports.

Susan River Madison is a poetic activist, visual artist and workshop facilitator whose work focuses on feminine divinity, racial equity and spirituality. Madison is the author of two chapbooks, if i can’t sing the blues and Gullah Paths. Her short stories and poetry have been published in Chicken Soup for the Soul, UKWELI Searching for Healing Truths, South Carolina Writers and Poets Explore American Racism and other publications. Madison holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English Literature from Antioch University and lives in St. Helena Island.

With a decade’s worth of hitting stages throughout the East coast with his band “Ear Candy”, Stee was more than prepped to take the national stage on NBC’s 24th season of “The Voice”. Washington D.C. born and South Carolina raised, Stee began his career at age 14 opening for major recording artists such as Monica, Lloyd, Big Boi, & Marques Houston.

Oct. 3rd, 2023 was Stee’s Blind audition day where he belted Maroon 5’s mega hit “Sugar” to 4 coaches who would all turn and pitch why he should choose them. From performing clubs to weddings, Stee is a polished performer who’s shown American that now is his time.

A native of Savannah, Ga., Lavon began singing and playing piano at the age of 7. He began performing in local groups across the Southeast at the age of thirteen. His first instrument was the violin (1969). He later studied voice and piano at Dekalb College in Atlanta, Ga. from 1979 to 1981. Lavon Stevens is one of the most versatile and talented artists in the music business. Simply put Lavon works from this philosophy; “The greatest power in the world is Love, the second greatest power in the world is Music, I use the power of the Music to translate Love all over the world! Lavon has traveled and performed all over the country including Aspen, Co. (‘92 and ‘93). Other performances’ locations have included Atlanta, Ga. and Orlando, Fla. And New York. The resort vacation destination of Hilton Head Island, SC has been his home since 1982. He is one of the premier entertainers in Hilton Head Island, SC performing at The Legendary Jazz Corner since 2004. Lavon has been a licensed Realtor since 2003. He has served as the vice chair for The Historic Mitchelville Preservation Project, he also serves on the Town of Hilton Head’s Planning Commission as Vice Chair, where he is also the chair of The Gullah Geechee Land and Cultural Preservation Task Force. He is a member of the board of directors for Junior Jazz Foundation. He served as minister of music at The Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church of Hilton Head for 16 years and is currently serving on staff at The First Presbyterian Church in Hilton Head as the music director for “The CrossRoads” a contemporary worship service since 2006. In 2017 He performed with The First Presbyterian Choir at Carnegie Hall in New York city. Lavon has participated in various missions here and abroad, he traveled to Nairobi, Kenya in 2018. He has served as a member of the Board of Directors for The Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra and has performed with the Orchestra. He is one of the inaugural music event producers for The Native Island Gullah Celebration Festival. Lavon also serves as the chairman of The Native Island Leaders Association. Lavon is affiliated with BMI as a Publisher and a Songwriter and he has several recordings to his credit including “Traveling Music” a collection of jazz standards and rhythm and blues recorded live at The Jazz Corner and released in 2008; “I See (1996), and a gospel CD titled “The Last Mile Of The Way” with the popular Low Country Gospel Group “The Voices Of El Shaddai.” He loves working artists and producing a variety of shows and recording projects including Marlena Smalls (The Hallelujah Singers) and other R and B, Jazz, and Gospel artists.