Gullah / Southern Studies South Carolina Scholarship

The Gullah people of the Lowcountry have an incredibly vibrant, resilient culture that has survived for more than 3 centuries. Gullah culture is rich in storytelling, folklore, music, visual arts, crafts, and cuisine.

Secluded on the South's barrier Sea Islands and coastal areas, the Gullah people have preserved much of their heritage.

Unfortunately, as more resorts get built, traditional Gullah lands are under threat from real estate development.

Our family first encountered the Gullah culture while attending the Medical University of South Carolina in the 1970s. We have lived in the Lowcountry for the last 20 years and have been fortunate to be exposed to this wonderful culture through our professions, volunteer opportunities, museums, festivals, and restaurants.

While initiatives like the Gullah Cultural Heritage Corridor Commission are important to helping preserve Gullah culture, it is critical to continue to elevate Gullah voices, culture, and communities, including by supporting the next generation of Gullah students and leaders.

As part of the effort to preserve and grow Gullah culture, this scholarship will be awarded to an undergraduate or graduate student in the state of South Carolina who is engaged in Southern Studies or a similar field, with a particular focus on the Gullah people of the South Carolina Lowcountry.