About the Author: Emory Campbell

Emory Campbell, Author of Gullah Cultural Legacies

Emory Campbell is an instrumental community leader for the Gullah people and cultural preservationist for the Gullah culture. He was born and raised on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, which is now an internationally recognized vacation destination. Going to school on the mainlands in the 1950’s, he realized that because of his deep Gullah culture and language, some teachers had trouble understanding him and other children that had also come from the sea islands. Campbell, going on to earn a bachelor’s degree from Savannah State University, and a Master’s degree from Tufts University in Boston, remained a community leader and activist for the Gullah people and has continuously tried to bridge the gap between his culture, and the outside land.

Emory Campbell wasn’t always who he is today. In fact, his degree wasn’t in history, but rather biology and environmental engineering. He started thinking about the unique island he calls home (and the many surrounding ones) when he visited the Charles Street Meeting House and saw an exhibit on the Sea Islands of South Carolina. He started to realize how important these islands were and are, and how his past could possibly help to bring some light to the Gullah culture and past traditions. At that point, Campbell knew he was going to be headed back home to Hilton Head Island, and he knew he had to do something to bring more recognition to his culture. He received a call that they needed help with the environment, at a rural health center near his home town, and in that moment, he knew it was meant to be. He went home for that job, and stayed at it for ten years. He then got another opportunity, as the executive director at Penn Center on St. Helena Island. This is now a non-profit organization to promote and preserve the Gullah traditions and culture. Campbell went on to write Gullah Cultural Legacies, a synopsis on the Gullah traditions, beliefs, art forms, and speech on Hilton Head Island. He has always had a deep-rooted love for his culture and his people, but through his works that love grew even more. He continues to teach others about the culture and its customs.

Campbell, who is Lola’s uncle, is a crucial member of the Gullah community, carrying personal traditions along, as well as memories from his line of ancestors who helped make Gullah what it is today. We are honored and elated to be carrying his book in the Binya store, and we hope his knowledge can teach you as much about the Gullah culture as it has taught us.