Emory Campbell facts for kids

Emory Campbell is an important leader for the Gullah people. The Gullah are African Americans who live along the coast of South Carolina and Georgia. They have kept more of their African language and culture than almost any other Black community in the United States.

Campbell grew up on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Back then, the island was not connected to the mainland by a bridge. When he went to high school in the 1950s, his Gullah language was so unique that even his African American teachers sometimes found it hard to understand him. Later, Campbell earned a degree in biology from Savannah State University. He also got a master's degree in environmental engineering from Tufts University. Throughout his life, he has worked to bring peace to his community. He also helps connect the Gullah people with the wider world.

Helping the Gullah Community

Campbell started his career in the 1970s. He worked to improve public health in poor rural areas. He also helped protect traditional Gullah communities. These communities were in danger from too much resort building on the sea islands. Later, Campbell became the Executive Director of Penn Center, Inc. on St. Helena Island, South Carolina. There, he helped lead efforts to save Gullah culture. He also made Gullah people more aware of their special African heritage. Campbell was part of a group that translated the New Testament into the Gullah language.

Connecting with West Africa

In the 1980s, Campbell helped start a big effort. This effort was to reconnect Gullah people with the nation of Sierra Leone in West Africa. Many Gullah ancestors came from this region. Campbell hosted Sierra Leone's President Joseph Saidu Momoh at Penn Center in 1988. This event was called the "Gullah Reunion." In 1989, Campbell led a historic trip called the "Gullah Homecoming" to Sierra Leone. These events happened in Freetown, the capital, and in a village called Taiama. The people of Sierra Leone made Campbell an honorary paramount chief with the royal title of Kpaa Kori I. These important events were shown in a TV documentary called "Family Across the Sea" (1990).

Awards and Leadership

In 2005, Campbell received the Carter G. Woodson Memorial Award. This award came from the National Education Association. He earned it for his lifelong work. This work included preserving Gullah heritage, protecting the environment, and making life better for the Gullah community. In 2008, Mr. Campbell was chosen as Chairman. He led the Gullah-Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor Commission. This group was created by the U.S. Congress. Its job is to create a program to celebrate Gullah culture. This cultural area stretches from Wilmington, North Carolina, to Jacksonville, Florida.

Author and Consultant

Campbell wrote a book called Gullah Cultural Legacies (2008). This book explains Gullah traditions, beliefs, art, and speech. Today, Campbell is the director of Gullah Heritage Consulting Services. This company is based on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. He also manages the Gullah Heritage Trail Tours on Hilton Head.