Focus on Florida Geechee Communities

Historic City News reporters are planning to attend the business meeting of the four-state Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor Commission, when the focus will be on the communities in St. Johns County and surrounding areas.

Members of our local communities are encouraged to participate in discussion groups to help commissioners learn about their history and the significance of the Gullah Geechee culture in the region.

“It will be an exciting time to introduce Dr. J. Herman Blake as the Executive Director of the Administrative Office for the Commission,” said Chair Althea Sumpter. “The Gullah Geechee Corridor continues to grow in its mission of education, economic development and preservation and documentation of the Gullah Geechee culture.”

Additional meeting highlights will include updates on the role of the commission as advocates in support of heritage areas throughout the country.

Commission members will be available to answer questions on partnership applications, potential projects and programs as well as to share information on intangible and tangible findings throughout the Gullah Geechee Corridor.

As one of 49 heritage areas, the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor has been able to provide leadership in garnering public support in recognizing what heritage areas can bring to local communities.

If you plan to attend, the Commission will hold its first quarterly business meeting for 2015 on Friday, February 13, 2015, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the Maritime Room of First Coast Technical College Conference Center, 2980 Collins Avenue in St. Augustine.

The business meeting will include committee updates on the mid-term phase for implementing the Commission’s management plan.

To learn more about the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor, the public is invited to visit its web site.