Today we’d like to introduce you to Chezrekist Simmons.
Hi Chezrekist, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hello,
My name is Chezrekist Simmons A.K.A Capt.Fuskie, I was born and raised between Savannah Ga and Daufuskie Island South Carolina. I am a 7th Generation Gullah and Native American Indian of this Island. This is how it all began my is Farther Henry Simmons Sr. he left Daufuskie Island at a point of time to seek a better Education for himself. He moved to Savannah, Ga. to live with his older Sister and Attended Savannah High School where later he met my mother. The Both of them got married and later gave birth to me. My Farther was a Commercial shrimper and Fisherman and when he would leave land he sent my mom to live on Daufuskie Island with his family. My parents purchased a home and we lived in Savannah Ga. I attended urban Christian Daycare and academy back then. Every weekend or every other weekend sometimes my Uncle Can-Can which is my Daddy baby brother would come Savannah and pick me up in his boat or my Uncle Rick would take me to Daufuskie Island to visit and spend time with my family because most of the time my parents had to work. One day my Grand mother Janie Simmons asked if I would like to live on the Daufuskie Island and go to School there an I said Grandma I don’t know, she said well I’m going to make you a lil country boy because city boys are lazy and she laughed. One day my Parents asked me how would I like to live on Daufuskie Island with Grandma Granddad and all my uncles and cousin I asked my parents will I never come back home they explained to me that I don’t have to go but I can come home whenever I wanted to. My mom was enrolling into Armstrong Atlantic University Nursing program and my Dad made a career change for the better. My Grandparents wanted me to live on the Island as well and I began to already fall in love with Daufuskie Island because from the time I was born until the time I actually moved to Daufuskie Island if I wasn’t living there Daily I was already coming over on the weekends. I moved to Daufuskie Island and attended first and Second Grade.I began to learn live,love and embrace my Gullah inheritance.The way we lived on the daily basis and functions in our community was an Exclusive experience that some could only imagine. I grew up working on crab boats hunting fishing plowing fields behind the ox cutting wood and listening to my great grand mother Lilly Simmons tell me Stories about her life as a Little Girl and Historical Events that took place on Daufuskie Island South Carolina that she could remember as a little Girl . I was really blessed with the child hood that I was able to live and experince. I became my Uncle Clarence Simmons a.k.a can-can side kick and learned so much from him from changing brakes on a car to fishing a little carpentry and electrical work. I really was blessed and at that time there wasn’t many kids living on Daufuskie Island Sc. living and doing the things that I done and got exposed to.The population of Daufuskie Island wasn’t what it is today and the Gullah community was a very tight knit close community. I Earned the Nick name Fuskie through my life travel and friends. I am proud to be a Island Representitive Especially of the Gullah Community. and DIS Daufuskie Island Public School.and Every one that lives here Today. We aren’t a Large Community of people with Dallas Tx. population but we are a Strong community and that’s all that matters to me. I love and embody Daufuskie Island South Carolina until I’m resting in Maryfield Cemetery on Daufuskie Island reunited with all of my family.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My Grammer, My Style of dressing, My Skin Complexion just my over history of life as Blackman living in America Society. The aspects on business etc.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a active employee / union member of I.L.A which is the International Longshoreman’s Association of Savannah GA Local 1414.
I’m Also the owner of Setwake Savannah / Daufuskie water taxi, river Experinces , and I offer history and adventure out on the salts reaching over to the island.
I specialize in many things but there’s nothing that I love more than being a Captain seeing new faces and making people smile. I love sharing my Experince and having a good time with people.
What makes me Different from others is my life goals experience ambitions and the way I see the world even when its cloudy I can still see the sunshine shining. I have a possitive out outlook on life and I hyper focus on my dreams. I have the ability to lift others up even if I’m weak. God’s blessings and favors angels and my ancestors are on my side. That’s my Faith Guidance and Directions.
My History is Authenic.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
God”s Grace mercy and blessings. Nothing just Happens I believe if he ask and pray anything that one can imagine they will achieve. somethings will take work others will just be the right place at the right time. Also the legacy we leave behind for the next Generations to come.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.Setwake.com
- Instagram: Setwake_savannah
- Facebook: Setwake Savannah
- Other: tik tok setwake
