50 South Carolina Students Explore Gullah Geechee Foodways at Avery Center as Schools Expand Cultural Lessons
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jun 16
50 South Carolina Students Explore Gullah Geechee Foodways at Avery Center as Schools Expand Cultural Lessons
1 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jun 16
Summary
More than 50 Charleston County School of the Arts seniors visited the Avery Research Center after a six-week memoir course, studying Gullah Geechee history through archives, cookbooks and a meal prepared by chef Reggie Miller.
The trip ended with students creating a zine on Gullah Geechee foodways, and some Gullah students found records tied to their own families in the center's archives.
A $1,000 memoir grant helped teacher Patrick Martin build the course, which used dishes such as okra, red rice and beans to show how everyday food preserves history.
Across South Carolina, similar programs are spreading: Coastal Carolina University backed a 12-student multimedia project on Gullah foodways with a $150,000 Mellon pilot grant.
Educators say food offers a durable entry point into Gullah Geechee heritage while also linking classrooms to current pressures such as climate change, displacement and rising food costs.
Could educational programs designed to save Gullah culture unintentionally speed up its commercialization and demise?
Beyond classroom lessons, what legal reforms can truly save Gullah Geechee ancestral lands from developers?
Gullah Geechee Culture in Crisis and Renewal: Education, Grants, and Community Action Transform South Carolina’s Future
Overview
In March 2026, over 50 high school seniors from Charleston County School of the Arts took part in an immersive field trip to the Avery Research Center, made possible by a national teaching grant. This experience was a key part of a six-week English course focused on memoir writing and Gullah Geechee foodways. Students explored historic archives, gained firsthand exposure to primary sources, and engaged in hands-on activities. They also interacted with university scholars and local cultural leaders, who shared their expertise and personal stories, helping students connect deeply with the Gullah Geechee community’s history and traditions.