Today we’d like to introduce you to Yolanda Bryant.
Hi Yolanda, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My story actually began during my childhood, where my father, the late Rev. Andrew Lee Bryant would travel to his childhood home of Daufuskie Island until his passing. He made sure to take my siblings and I and teach us who our loved ones were as we visited family that still lived on the island. He often spoke Gullah at home to us as well, and I learned as an adult what the culture and language meant. Upon realizing that it was indeed a special culture and language of its own, being preserved through the TransAtlantic Slave Trade, slavery, and the Civil War; I realized it demanded uplifting, recognition and a path of preservation that would leave it for future generations. I established Gullah Roots Historical Foundation due to my deep Gullah roots and ties to the Sea Island of Daufuskie and began planning events to share with the community and created scholarships in honor of those I once knew and loved from the island. I host an annual Black History Ball every February that uses a platform of Living History and integrates elements of Gullah history as well. GullahFEST (in honor of Daufuskie) will take place this July 27th on Hilton Head Island as a rescheduled event from 2023 when Hurricane Idalia deterred our plans. We hope to continue to reach the youth and sustain our preservation efforts.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Every great endeavor comes with challenges. We have encountered slight issues with securing funding as most non-profits do, but we have managed to obtain sponsors to help with each event and remain steadfast in our efforts. There were also those who were resistant to a Black History Ball and expressed those feelings on our social media pages, but we did not let that deter us from pursuing and still hosting the event. This coming February will be our 4th Annual Black History Ball as we Spin the Block with Living History through Sports at the Columbia Museum of Art. All trials and obstacles have been necessary building blocks to sharpen our capabilities.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a trained and Board Certified Family Medicine Physician who prefers to treat and help those in areas that are underrepresented or underserved. I am most proud of being the first and only physician in my family who also was able to return briefly to Daufuskie and care for my ancestral home in 2023. I believe my vision and foresight set me apart from others, as I will not give up until the vision is made manifest so that everyone can visualize and see it in real time.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
I define success with impact. How many lives can you positively influence or help? The answer to this question is where my definition of success lies. Money will come and go as well as your popularity, but how you make people feel seen, heard and understood will remain long after you are gone. That legacy, is your success.
Pricing:
- GullahFEST Tickets are $15 on Eventbrite
- Black History Ball tickets will begin in November
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.daufuskiegf.com
- Instagram: @gullahrootshf
- Facebook: Gullah Roots Historical Foundation
