Gullah Geechee Culture: Education and Economic Sustainability

Tuesday, May 6, 2025 at SoundWaves
(Doors open at 6:00 p.m.; 6:30 pm dinner; 7:30 pm concert)

Lavon Stevens, artistic director

Guest Speakers:
Thomas Boxley, Executive Director, Gullah Geechee Historic Neighborhoods Community Development Corporation
Nell Barnwell Hay, board member, Gullah Museum of Hilton Head Island

Musical Guests:
Quiana Parler, vocalist, Ranky Tanky
Calvin Baxter, drums

The Lavon Stevens Band:
Lavon Stevens, piano
Clarence Williams, bass
Jimmy Charles, drums

Our season finale features Thomas Boxley, now in his second year as Executive Director of the Gullah Geechee Historic Neighborhoods Community Development Corporation and Quiana Parler, international sensation and two-time Grammy winning vocalist with Charleston-based roots group, Ranky Tanky. Interacting with GCCS’s artistic advisor Lavon Stevens, Boxley will share his perspective on education in the Gullah Geechee community, which in the spirit of this series will share educational value to those in the audience. Quiana will collaborate with Steven’s band to bring roots music alive here at SoundWaves.

Originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma, Thomas Boxley brings Hilton Head Island a wealth of experience spanning over 20 years in community development and outreach, business expansion, fundraising, program creation, marketing, and human resources across the education, healthcare, private and non-profit sectors. Prior to HHI, Boxley served as Director of School Operations at KIPP Tulsa University Prep High School, where he played a pivotal role in developing this pioneering public charter high school program within the KIPP network. He managed various aspects, including finance, operations, transportation, human resources, facilities, technology, data, compliance, student recruitment, attendance, and parental engagement. He also served as a Founding Member and Executive Director of The Institute for Developing Communities, underscoring his commitment to addressing Oklahoma’s education, nutrition security, and other needs.

Boxley’s experience also includes serving as Inclusion Officer, Clinic Manager, and Outreach Liaison for the University of Oklahoma-Physicians, where his job responsibilities included educating the community and potential subcontractors while advocating for diversity in the development of a $20 million community medical facility. During his tenure, he spearheaded recruitment and development efforts for small African American and women-owned businesses. Boxley past board positions include trustee at the Tulsa Authority for Economic Opportunity, commissioner and vice chairperson of the Tulsa Development Authority, commissioner/founding chair at the Greater Tulsa Area African American Affair Commission, and advisory board member of the Black Wall Street Chamber of Commerce.

Nell Barnwell Hay, is a fifth generation of the Gullah people born on Hilton Head Island , SC February 23, 1951. She was delivered by her mother’s sister, her Aunt Hannah White Barnwell, the first African American nurse. She lived on Squire Pope Road until I was thirteen years old. Then, she moved to the Grassland Community to live near her Grandmother Nellie Johnson White. She attended and is a proud alumna of an African American private boarding school, Boggs Academy in Keysville, Ga. She graduated from high school June 3, 1969. After high school she attended Benedict College in Columbia, SC. Although her heart was set on attending Fisk University, but her mother completed an application for Benedict College, and the rest they say “is history”. She further advanced her education by completing my graduate work at Pepperdine University earning her Master’s Arts of Education degree. She worked in Beaufort County School district her entire career, beginning as a classroom teacher. She discovered a love for helping children with their emotional and social skills development. Therefore she obtained additional educational training and transitioned to elementary and secondary guidance. She worked as a guidance counselor until her retirement from Beaufort County School District in 2012.

She then became a board member in 2014 and severed as vice chair until 2015 and became the chairman of the board in 2015. She is very proud of the accomplishments the Gullah of Hilton Head has made and are still making. Their mission is to revive, restore, and preserve the Hilton Head Island Gullah history for the benefit of all-least we forget. She is married to Reverend General S. Hay, Jr. and has two adult daughters, one Goddaughter and four grandchildren. In her spare time she loves to travel, read and spend time with her family. Nell invites you to come to the Gullah Museum of Hilton Head Island and learn about the true history of the Island before the bridge was built.

As lead vocalist, lyricist, and composer for internationally- and critically- acclaimed two-time Grammy Award-winning roots music group, Ranky Tanky, Quiana Parler spent weeks at #1 on several Billboard Jazz charts. Quiana has spent over 20 years as the most sought-after vocalist in the Lowcountry. Known locally for years prior, she rose to national prominence after her success on the 2003 season of American Idol. Quiana has worked and collaborated with diverse artists and producers such as Clay Aiken, Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, Bobby McFerrin, Miranda Lambert, David Foster, Walter Afanasieff and many more. Her performances have been featured on national broadcasts like The View, NBC’s TODAY, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, The Tonight Show, The Tyra Banks Show, and Saturday Night Live, as well as the Academy of Country Music Awards and the American Music Awards. Her vocals on Ranky Tanky’s eponymous debut album has drawn praise and acclaim from some of the nation’s most discerning and respected music critics. Parler uses her artistry to bring the cultural and musical heritage of the SC Lowcountry to some of the most prestigious stages in the US and Europe, like Norway’s Molde jazz and New York City’s Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall.

Chef Nettie Williams has prepared an authentic menu including meal options of meat loaf with garlic rosemary roasted potatoes, whole green beans, Texas toast, and broccoli salad (GF); grilled salmon in butter sauce with parmesan risotto, marinated grilled asparagus wrapped in sweet pepper rings, dinner rolls, and spring green salad with Vidalia onion dressing (GF); grilled chicken breast with sautéed kale, garlic mashed potatoes, corn bread squares, and a garden salad with balsamic dressing; and basmati rice with sautéed vegetables (zucchini, broccoli florets, green and red peppers), honey glazed carrots, and Caesar salad (V).

Gullah Geechee Cultural Series: Gullah Me, Gullah You

Gullah Me, Gullah You Gullah Cultural Series is our community’s exciting music event series celebrating all things Gullah. Mostly of music, but also storytelling, history, food, and culture; each performance, modeled in the spirit of a television talk-show setting but reversed as a musical show-talk event, heralds local Gullah citizens for their contributions to our community and celebrates Gullah Geechee guest artists from the entire Gullah Geechee Corridor. Held at SoundWaves, in Gullah churches, and Hilton Head schools, Gullah Me, Gullah You introduces us to many touching and beautiful stories as well as challenges of native Islander life here on Hilton Head Island and throughout the Gullah Geechee corridor. In support of Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park, Native Island Business and Community Affairs Association and the Gullah Museum of Hilton Head Island, this series is sure to entertain and enlighten all! Bonus: Gullah cuisine dinner option available before the show. Presented by The Gullah Museum of Hilton Head Island, Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra, and Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park, and Native Island Business and Community Affairs Association.

Special Thanks to our Presenting Sponsor: