RON DAISE

RON DAISE (pronounced DAYS), a native of St. Helena Island, SC, is an author, performing artist, educator, and cultural preservationist. His productions and recordings about Gullah heritage began after the publication of his first book, Reminiscences of Sea Island Heritage, in 1986. Several books have followed.

Since 2004, DAISE has served as Vice President for Creative Education at Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet, SC, where his accomplishments, in part, have garnered him the 2019 SC Governor’s Distinctive Achievement Award. He has developed and implemented participatory interpretive tours, presentations, exhibits, and events at Brookgeen Gardens that promote cultural heritage, positioning it as an interpretive center for Gullah Geechee heritage for its 300,000 annual guests. Through his curation, the Gullah Geechee Gaardin showcases a unique, multi-sensory, permanent exhibit that preserves the place of Gullah Geechee people in the history of Americana. It also celebrates the living culture of a vibrant people.

Carolyn “Jabulile” White

Carolyn “Jabulile” White is not just a storyteller, she’s a living historian.

Elder Carolyn “Jabulile” White is a grass-roots, Gullah storyteller and historian. Born and raised on the sea islands of Charleston, South Carolina, she learned the art of storytelling from her parents and grandparents. “Jabulile” thought it only natural that she should share these stories not only with the people in her community, but the world. She speaks fluent Gullah, an island dialect, when telling her stories. She tells her stories with humor, giving the audience a true insight and understanding of the customs and culture of the Gullah People.

She loves taking her stories on the road and has traveled throughout the United States and Africa. While visiting South Africa, she was given the Zulu name, “Jabulile” meaning happiness and that’s what she hopes to pass along to others when sharing her stories.

Oscar Rivers, The Oscar Rivers Jazz Quartet

Oscar Rivers is a living Lowcountry legend and an esteemed jazz instrumentalist on both saxophone and piano. Oscar has been a vital part of the Charleston and Chicago jazz scenes for over half a century, and is an inductee in the Lowcountry Music Hall of Fame. Having mastered the saxophone at an early age, Oscar’s education took him from Burke High School to South Carolina State College to Chicago’s Roosevelt University, where he earned his Masters in Music. His decades-long career as a musician and music educator has included playing saxophone with musical legends Sonny Stitt, Quincy Jones, Melba Moore, BB King, Stevie Wonder, the Temptations, the Jackson Five, and he was also part of the house band for the legendary Regal Theater. In 1979, Oscar moved back to Charleston, where he continued to perform professionally, but also taught music, math and science. Looking for a musical challenge, Oscar decided to learn classical piano as an adult. In addition to performing jazz and rhythm and blues locally, including a standing Thursday night gig at Barsa Tapas Lounge on Upper King Street, Oscar proudly leads and accompanies the Morris Brown AME Church’s gospel choirs.

College of Charleston Gospel Choir

The College of Charleston Gospel Choir, under the direction of Mr. Brenten Weeks, is comprised of young men and women from all academic disciplines within the university. The internationally acclaimed choir has appeared on ABC’s Good Morning America, Kathie Lee and Hoda Show, The Colbert Report and winner of the Southeastern Gospel Choir Award. The ensemble performs an eclectic repertoire of gospel music, ranging from today’s Christian contemporary to traditional southern gospel, hymns, and spirituals. Devout to its southern roots and deep history, the choir prides itself in giving soul-stirring, heart-moving, and spirit-filled performances.

Brenten Weeks, College of Charleston Gospel Choir

Brenten Weeks hails from the great metropolis of Columbia, SC. A proud graduate of The College of Charleston, Mr. Weeks holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in music and is currently enrolled in the M.A.T- Choral Music program. He is a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated, initiating in the spring of 2006 through the Tau Eta Chapter seated at The College of Charleston. Brenten currently serves in two professions simultaneously, as the Assistant General Manager of Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse in downtown Charleston and an Adjunct Professor of music at the College of Charleston. His passion for music has driven him to pursue his dreams of founding the Vocal Sensations Voice Studio, LLC. He also is the director of the internationally acclaimed College of Charleston Gospel Choir.