Preserving Gullah Geechee Culture: An Interview with Luana Graves Sellars

Bilingual in America

BIA hosts Suzanne Lasser and Yarina Sencion had the privilege of speaking with native-born New Yorker Luana Graves Sellars who lives on Hilton Head Island in South Carolina, one of the most culturally rich and historic areas of the South. A passion for her Gullah Geechee roots has led her to become a preservationist and cultural influencer through her writing that is focused on educating others, as well as documenting Gullah culture, its history, and its people.

In 2021, Luana started her own company, Sankofa Communications, which expanded into visual media where she also writes, directs, and produces cultural videos and documentaries. The founder of the nonprofits, Lowcountry Gullah, and the Lowcountry Gullah Foundation, Luana is also a keynote speaker and community activist who is doing her part to sustain and preserve Gullah Geechee culture for our future generations.