Save Our Legacy Ourself

12/29/2025

It has been a long fight, and we know you’re tired — but we are not done.
The next step is simple: get out and vote YES.
Vote YES to protect Hog Hammock.
Vote YES to stand together and show the county we will not be run over.
Vote YES so this never happens to another community.
We’ve come too far to stop now.
Stand up. Show up. Vote YES.

10/09/2025

“We Will Not Forget” Memorial — Honoring Lives Lost & Those Forever Changed

October 19, 2024, marked a day of unimaginable loss and pain for our Sapelo Island family and all those connected to the tragic ramp collapse. As we approach the one-year anniversary, we pause to honor the lives lost, the survivors, and every person whose heart was touched by that day.

Join us for a day of remembrance, reflection, and healing. Together, we stand in prayer, presence, and solidarity — lifting one another as we continue to heal.

09/30/2025

The Georgia Supreme Court has ruled unanimously in favor of allowing a referendum on the McIntosh County zoning changes that threatened Hogg Hummock!

This means the PEOPLE now have the right to decide whether to overturn the county’s ordinance that raised home size limits—an ordinance many fear will drive up taxes and push out descendants who have lived here for generations.

While the fight isn’t over, today’s ruling is a powerful affirmation that our voices matter and that communities have the right to protect their heritage, land, and future.

We are grateful for the continued resilience of Sapelo families, neighbors, and supporters everywhere. The work continues, but this is a moment to celebrate!

07/10/2025

A taste of Sapelo ended up in a cocktail shaker in Athens!
The folks at The Old Pal got innovative with our Sapelo Geechee Syrup, mixing it with lime and rum to create a cocktail they call the 'Chee Punch. Sweet, citrusy, and just the right amount of kick—this nontraditional twist on a deep-rooted ingredient shows how a splash of history can spark bold new flavor.

07/03/2025

The Farmers’ Alliance Hall on Sapelo Island is more than a building—
It’s a living legacy of Black resilience, Gullah Geechee culture, and community power.
Built by and for Black farmers in the early 1900s, the Hall was a center for organizing, economic empowerment, land protection, and cultural preservation.
Over the years, residents like Larry Johnson and Julius Bailey have led efforts to keep the Hall standing. Today, the community still pours love, sweat, and resources into the building and its grounds— keeping the spirit alive.
Restoring the Hall isn’t just about saving a structure.
It’s about reclaiming a space where Sapelo’s past, present, and future can gather, teach, share, organize, and celebrate.

06/19/2025

This last week has been a time for deep reflection.
We honored Juneteenth, Father's Day, and the 80th birthday of Cornelia Walker Bailey—a fierce protector of Sapelo’s history, heritage, and people. Her life’s work laid a powerful foundation for cultural preservation and community resilience.
Today, that legacy lives on through SOLO. We continue the work she began: protecting the land, amplifying Gullah-Geechee voices, and ensuring the next generation knows where they come from.
Rest in power, our griot. We carry your torch.

06/18/2025

On Sapelo Island, home to the historic Gullah Geechee community of Hogg Hummock, scientists and locals are working together to fight coastal erosion—with oyster shells.
These reefs don’t just protect the shoreline—they filter water, trap sediment, and support marine life. A beautiful blend of science and tradition working to preserve culture, land, and legacy.
This is restoration by the people, for the people.
📽️ Watch the story:

Sapelo Island’s Hogg Hummock is one of the last remaining Gullah Geechee island communities, but it's fighting for survival on multiple fronts. Rising sea le...

06/10/2025

It’s always an honor to speak about Sapelo and share the richness of Gullah-Geechee culture. I had the privilege of speaking at the Penn Center and leading a workshop that blended cultural education with the deep tradition of indigo dyeing.
These moments are more than just events; they are acts of preservation and affirmation. Grateful to be part of the ongoing work to uplift our heritage and pass it forward with intention.

06/02/2025

IT'S TIME TO ACT!!
Hog Hammock (Hogg Hummock) on Sapelo Island is the last Black community of its kind in the state—founded by descendants of enslaved people.
It holds irreplaceable cultural, historical, and architectural value.

But preservation is moving too slowly.
Despite official recognition, development pressures and neglect threaten its survival.

This is not just Black history. This is Georgia’s history. America’s history.
Stand with Sapelo. Demand protection and preservation now.

Want to help save Hog Hammock on Sapelo Island? Here’s how:

1. Spread the word – Share the story.

2. Donate – Support groups that do the work on the ground.

3. Call your reps – Demand legal protections & preservation funding.

4. Volunteer skills – Legal, media, grant writing, preservation.

5. Visit respectfully – Support local Black-owned businesses.

6. Push for policy change – Advocate for stronger heritage site protections.

This isn’t just history—it’s a living legacy. Let’s protect it.

05/30/2025

Let’s come together to care for and strengthen our community. Every helping hand makes a difference.

05/22/2025

Juneteenth on Sapelo is calling!
Food, music, culture, and freedom—don’t miss the celebration June 14!

05/18/2025

Have you signed up yet? There is still time!
Want to learn how to make a cast net?
Who better to teach you than Stanley Walker?

UGA’s Cornelia Walker Bailey Program is teaming up with Stanley for a 3-day beginner workshop on Sapelo Island — May 29–31!

Learn the craft. Hear the history. Connect with Gullah Geechee tradition.

Sign up here: https://cwbp.uga.edu/cast-net-workshop/