Beyond Beaufort, Erika ventured to the remote barrier islands, where she discovered the Gullah Geechee’s deep connection to the land and sea. “Paddling the serene tidal creeks and hiking through the lush maritime forests, I felt a profound sense of reverence for the way this community has sustainably coexisted with their environment for centuries, even as the winter chill began to set in.”
Erika’s journey culminated with a visit to the Penn Center, a former freedmen’s school that played a pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement. “Standing on that hallowed ground, I was overcome with a sense of the resilience and vibrancy of the Gullah Geechee people. It’s a testament to the enduring spirit of the Lowcountry, and a reminder of the cultural richness that exists in every corner of our nation, even as the year drew to a close.”
