“Horry County Nonprofit Hosts Gullah Geechee Read-Aloud for Black History Month”
Gullah Geechee Storytime Takes Centre Stage at Black History Month Celebration
As an ode to Black History Month, the dedicated team at United Way of Horry County, a well-known nonprofit organization, organized a unique Gullah Geechee read-aloud at the notable Chapin Memorial Library last Wednesday. Internationally renowned author and creator of the famous show, “Gullah Gullah Island,” Natalie Daise, graced this commemorative event.
Author Natalie Daise Engages Young Minds with Gullah Geechee Literature
Natalie read out to an eager audience of preschoolers from her enchanting book, “Okra Stew: A Gullah Geechee Family Celebration.” The story, imbued with rich cultural nuance, ably draws out the process of a family banding together to gather ingredients and prepare the traditional Gullah dish of okra stew. Referring to the impactful read-aloud, Richard Williams, the United Way Early Education Program Manager, passionately said, “We want them to be able to go home and talk about the story. That will develop their language skills. So, it’s doing everything that United Way wants to do with sharing the basics with our young people, getting our young people talking, getting our young people exposed. So, I’m very excited for all of that.”
Kids Savor Okra Stew after Engaging Story Session
After being enthralled by Natalie’s expressive storytelling, the children got to relish some okra stew prepared in the Gullah Geechee style. The kid’s enthusiastic enjoyment of the stew surely testified to the captivating impact of the author’s tale of family and heritage. This invigorating series of activities indeed epitomized United Way’s committed initiative to stimulate young minds, promoting conversation and active learning.
United Way’s Impactful Initiative
This isn’t the first time that United Way of Horry County has given wings to such impactful initiatives. This nonprofit organization, through its multitude of programs, catalyzes crucial changes in the community by focusing on health, education, and financial stability. Its dedicated efforts to provide early education, in particular through initiatives such as the Gullah Geechee read-aloud, underscore its earnest commitment to shaping a better future for children.
Upwards and Onwards
United Way of Horry County continues to innovate in its approach to deliver essential services by leveraging exciting community partnerships and engaging events like these. The Gullah Geechee read-aloud session, in honor of Black History Month, stands as a testament to these ceaseless endeavors. As children left the venue with beaming smiles and stimulated minds, no doubt carrying with them indelible imprints of a memorable story and a hearty taste of Okra stew, it was clear that the event hit its intended mark.
This celebration of Gullah Geechee culture and heritage not only enriched the participants’ understanding of the community but also shed light on United Way’s enduring dedication to nurture the potential of young minds. In the end, it not just marked the success of the event, but also paved the way for future explorations into celebrating and preserving cultural heritage in accessible and interactive ways.
source: HERE News Network
