Jamestown Family Reunion

From the 1940s through the early 1970s, Atlantic Beach was a recreation and tourism mecca for African Americans from southeastern states who were not allowed to visit white beaches. In this feature, Bhakti Larry Hough interviews lifelong residents of the beach, people who visited the beach during its heyday, and current town leaders. 

Atlantic Beach


 

The Charleston Jazz Initiative (CJI) is a multi-year research project that documents the African American jazz tradition in Charleston, the South Carolina Lowcountry, and its diasporic movement throughout the United States and Europe between the late 19th century through today. Dr. Karen Chandler, principal of CJI, discusses the initiative and notable jazz artists from Charleston and from South Carolina in general with host Bhakti Larry Hough.


Charleston Jazz Initiative



Gullah: The Voice of an Island is a multimedia, multi-dimensional look at the music, history, culture and language of the Gullah people of South Carolina. In its first year, this two-year project focuses on the spirituals and praise houses of St. Helena Island. Due to the island's unique history and geographic isolation, many of the Gullah Spirituals have remained unchanged for over 100 years and still retain melodies, song texts, and rhythms from West Africa and the early south. Unfortunately, the current lack of interest by the island's youth and the advanced age of the island's remaining song leaders casts doubt on the continued survival of these vital cultural artifacts. Through working with the Penn Center, churches, Dr. Eric Crawford at Norfolk State University, and Dr. Matt White of Coastal Carolina University in Conway, SC,this project has recorded over 80 hours of spirituals and stories. Selections from these recordings from four well-known song leaders on the island are presented in a digital publication and CD box set that weave culture, history and geography through these captivating songs that have lasted generations.  Dr. White discusses the project with host Bhakti Larry Hough. 

St. Helena Spiritual Project

Norman Dease of Conway, SC, was 25 years old and eight months out of the military when he attended the historic March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom on August 28, 1963. He reflects on the experience with host Bhakti Larry Hough. 

Remembering the March on Washington

H. Beecher Hicks III, president of the National Museum of African American Music in Nashville, TN, talks with host Bhakti Larry Hough about the museum, which is slated to open in 2017, and the influence of African American music on the world. 

National Museum of African American Music

Ronald Daise, Vice President for Creative Education at Brookgreen Gardens, discusses the historical link between Gullah and African American heritage and the sculpture garden and wildlife preserve in Murrells Inlet.

Gullah Roots of Brookgreen Gardens with Ron Daise

Interview with Steve Williams and Kent Hermes conducted May 28, 2019 about the plans and background for a historical marker at the James Bowley House in Georgetown SC.

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