NIBCAA Newsletter
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Purpose of the Gullah Celebration
Established in 1996, the Hilton Head Island Gullah Celebration is an annual event held during the month of February. Since its inception, the Gullah Celebration was designed to create economic development opportunities for minority business owners, to develop the cultural tourism market and to increase tourism in February on Hilton Head Island, historically the slowest month of the year. These objectives are being met, however strategic plans are made each year to ensure continued growth and expansion.
The Hilton Head Island Gullah Celebration showcases the rich cultural heritage of the Gullah people and their history on Hilton Head Island. Celebration programming includes a variety of events designed to attract local residents, regional, national and international travelers. The events held the second and third weekends include mostly cultural events in order to attract out of state travelers during the peak travel times in the month of February: Specifically, Valentines Day, President's Day and School Winter Breaks.
For the past four years, the Hilton Head Island Gullah Celebration has been recognized by the Southeast Tourism Society as one of the Top Twenty Events in the Southeast. Each event during the Celebration incorporates a facet of the Gullah culture. Visitors have an opportunity to experience the food and music, receive firsthand, historical information and take a journey through the culture via the visual arts. The Ol' Fashioned Gullah Barbecue, sponsored in part by the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina offers classic barbecue favorites and cultural entertainment. The Arts, Crafts and Food Expo offers cultural demonstrations, i.e., sweet grass baskets sewing, indigo dyeing and fishnet weaving. Vendors participate in this event selling authentic Gullah and African crafts as well as an offering of all traditional Gullah foods. Entertainment includes storytellers, the Gullah Stomp and Shout, African dance and Gospel music. Gospel concerts feature gospel music, Negro spirituals and highlight the history of music as it developed among the Gullah people. Panelist gathered for the cultural symposium share the history of the Gullah culture as it relates to their specific discipline of lifestyle experiences.
Membership Application
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NIBCAA Organization History
Native Island Business and Community Affairs Association, Inc.
The Native Island Business and Community Affairs Association, Inc., (NIBCAA), began meeting twelve years ago. It was started by a group of minority business owners and community leaders who were interested in economic development and improving the quality of life for Native Islanders and other residents of Hilton Head Island. Charles Young, III is the organization’s current Board Chairman. James Mitchell, Jr. is the President & CEO. NIBCAA’s mission of fostering economic development and improving the quality of life of Native Islanders remains the focus of the organization. The organization is accomplishing this mission via three programs. The Revolving Loan Program, Grassroots Leadership Program and the Native Islander Gullah Celebration.
The Revolving Loan Program/Entrepreneurial Training Program has made loans to 80 small businesses totaling over a $1,000,000.00, over the past six years. In addition, through its property Tax Loan Program, NIBCAA has been successful in saving several Native Islanders; land from being lost to tax sales. The success of the Revolving Loan Program led to the development of an Entrepreneur Training Program for business owners in the community who were looking to improve their knowledge of business and move their business to the next level. To date, more than 100 participants have graduated from the six-week training program. Sessions offered include, Planning for Business Success, Researching and Developing a Market, Financing the Small Business, Accounting and Record Keeping I & II and Managing Human Resources. One year ago, due to the success of the Entrepreneur Training Program, NIBCAA established a Mentoring Program for entrepreneurs. Three local business owners have graduated from this program. Due to the interest expressed by other members of the business community, the number of individuals in the mentoring program will increase to 12-15 persons over the next three years.
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Grassroots Leadership Program
In 2001, NIBCAA formed the Hilton Head Island Native Community Association, Inc., (HHINCA). This 501(c) 3 organization was formed to assist with raising funds for NIBCAA, which is a 501(c) 4 organization. This organization supports NIBCAA’s second program, The Grassroots Leadership Training Program. This program provides workshops, seminars and meetings regarding community organization and leadership. The workshops have encompassed everything from leadership, community development and government to cultural relationships. Through this program, four Property Owner Associations were formed to represent the Native Islander communities of Hilton Head Island. The four (POA's) are Baygall, Chaplin, Spanish Wells, and Squire Pope/Stoney.
Native Islanders Property Owners Association
The Hilton Head Island Native Community, which is located primarily in Ward I, has four Property Owners Associations (POA’s). These POA’s keep the residents abreast of local, state and national issues impacting them and their communities. Below is a listing of the POA’s and their Presidents.
1. Baygall, Mitchellville, Big Hill and Grassland POA
Mr. Charles Young, III, President
PO Box 22225
Hilton Head Island, SC 29925
843-689-2310
2. Chaplin/Marshland POA
Ms. Dorothy Law, President
9 Bradley Beach Road
Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
3. Spanish Wells/Jonesville POA
Mr. Charles E. Simmons, Jr., President
PO Box 22944
Hilton Head Island, SC 29925
843-689-3416
4. Stoney/Squire Pope POA
Mr. Thomas Curtis Barnwell, III, President
370 Squire Pope Road
Hilton Head Island, SC 29926
843-681-8715
Native Island Business and Community Affairs Association, Inc. Board of Directors
Charles Young, III, Chairman
Betty Days, Vice-Chairman
Regina C. Ragland, Treasurer
Rita Jones
Kelvin Peoples
Ralph Milledge
Richard C. Oriage
Charles E. Simmons, Jr.
Perry White
Dr. David White
Dr. Leslie A. David
Joel Delph
Leonard Law
This event sponsored by the Native Island Business and
Community Affairs Association, Inc.
21 Cardinal Road, Suite 105. Hilton Head Island, SC 29926
Charles Young, Chairman - James Mitchell, Jr., President & CEO
Phone: (843) 689-9314 
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