Today we’d like to introduce you to Ray C. Funnye.
Hi Ray, We are so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
As a father, I spent much of my son’s childhood like many other fathers: playing baseball in the backyard of my rural community. As my sons grew more robust and learned more skills, I talked to different fathers, and we began to come together as a group to allow the children to develop their social and athletic skills. We continued to grow and eventually began volunteering at the local elementary school and holding Back-to-School supply drives and pep rallies to get students excited about starting the school year. This community collaboration with our youth at the heart of the matter sparked the grassroots development of what is now The Village Group – an 18-year strong 501c3 nonprofit honored by South Carolina’s Secretary of State and led by community leaders, parents, elders, and concerned citizens who strive to equip youth with the skills to build a sustainable community. What sets the Village Group apart is the extensive, interconnected approach to community improvement. We tackle educational gaps, shape solid personal visions, and deliver food justice to support stronger families, building a better future for our youth.
This year, The Village Group
- Served 225 students in the Plantersville Summer Academy.
- Of those students, all students in grades 2nd through 8th & up made gains in math and reading.
- Served 63 students in the afterschool Plantersville Enrichment Academy throughout the school year.
- Added a behavioral support specialist to address social-emotional needs.
- Supported a passport Initiative so students could participate in their first international travel opportunities with their families.
- Planned art, music, environmental, STEAM, cooking, and health-related enrichment activities and field trips to teach new skills, develop hobbies, and provide exposure to career possibilities.
- Hosted or participated in 4 major cultural arts events throughout the year with attendance from 500 to 2500.
It wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
To understand the lifelong challenges my community and I have faced, I have to describe the rich history that makes up what I call home. As one of the few remaining intact cultural landscapes along the coast, the historic district of Plantersville includes four primarily Gullah Geechee Villages. Historic Gullah Geechee communities are among the region’s most economically and educationally disadvantaged. The villages were formed after Emancipation when freedmen purchased large swaths of land. The Village Group’s name is rooted in this heritage. Per the recent census data, the area’s children living in poverty average is 2.5 times higher than the rest of the county and state. The Village Group began its journey with youth programming and has successfully addressed educational gaps in the Plantersville community. Now, the organization is expanding to address systemic concerns related to the local economy while being mindful of culturally and environmentally sustaining practices. In 2023, The Village Group was a conduit for 28,000 pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables distributed and 18,000 meals served!
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I attended Savannah State University, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering Technology. I left my small town and moved to Atlanta and other locations, serving as a civil engineer for many years. In 1992, a family tragedy brought me back to Georgetown County. Although sadness brought me home, a sense of purpose kept me here. I was offered a position working for Georgetown County, where I’ve remained for over 30 years. In 2002, I was promoted to director of public services, which is my current role – managing a department with a $22 million budget and 125 employees. Looking ahead, my future work will be to bring economic development to my underserved community through nonprofit leadership as the Executive Director of The Village Group. Imagine a beautiful 10-acre site in historical rural Georgetown County, where you can bike or walk through a gentle woodland setting, learn about the Gullah-Geechee culture, enjoy creations by Black artists, or visit an agroecology site where the art of living from the land is reawakening. This is our vision for the Plantersville Cultural Complex (PCC) — from culturally insightful architectural design to understanding agroecology and the benefits of diversity in both social and physical sciences. The future Plantersville Cultural Complex will offer a cultural hub highlighting local history and art while promoting food justice, healthy activities, educational programs, and economic development.
Link: https://thevillagegroup.org/plantersville-cultural-complex/
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I grew up in the rural Jackson Village community of Plantersville in Georgetown County. My mother was a housekeeper, and my father worked at the local paper mill. My father had a green thumb and owned more than 10 acres of land where we grew tobacco, corn, cucumbers, peas, and other produce that my siblings and I were responsible for harvesting.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thevillagegroup.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thevillagegroup/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thevillagegroup
Image Credits
Photo Credits for Image #2 & #3: Marsh Deane, MLNL Media
