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Inspired by historical events from the Reconstruction Era, this reader’s theater presentation by Ron Daise portrays the lived experiences, beliefs, and dreams of a Gullah man, Prince Rivers. Rivers’ life and words from before, during, and after the Hamburg Massacre, an incident of notable racial and political violence, are poignant and riveting. The presentation, moreover, showcases historical and contemporary similarities. Singalong to American patriotic, Civil War songs, and spirituals that are interspersed with poetry and first-hand testimonies from a U.S. Senate Report to learn about the 1876 South Carolina event that altered U.S. history.
About the Speaker:
Ron Daise, a St. Helena Island, SC native, is a prominent author, performer, and cultural preservationist. As Vice President for Creative Education at Brookgreen Gardens since 2004, he's received the 2019 SC Governor's Distinctive Achievement Award for his impactful contributions. Daise, along with his wife Natalie, created the "Gullah Geechee Wisdom Cards Guidebook," earning the 2017 SC African American Heritage Commission's Project Award. Former stars of Nick Jr. TV's "Gullah Gullah Island," they received the 2019 Foundation for Leadership Education Lifetime Achievement Award and other honors. Daise is a respected figure in Gullah Geechee cultural heritage, having served on the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor Commission and presented at the United Nations. A Hampton University graduate, he actively contributes to community and educational initiatives in Georgetown, SC.