About Us

"Most coastal historical sites focus on slavery. We want to complete the history of our area by filling in the 150 years from emancipation through the civil rights era.”

Amy Lotson Roberts,
SSAAHC Board Member

Our Mission

The mission of the St. Simons African American Heritage Coalition (SSAAHC) is to educate, preserve, and revitalize African American heritage and culture. Our primary goals are:

  • Land loss prevention
  • Historic preservation
  • Economic development

Staff

Tanya McDowell

Executive Director
SSAAHC

The future of Gullah Geechee preservation is in powerful hands! As a compassionate leader and proud advocate for inclusivity, Tanya McDowell’s vision expands our public programming, fosters strong partnerships, and engages our community in innovative ways. She has more than 15 years of experience in leadership, program management, and career development.

She is empowered with heart, service, and vision. From mentoring youth through Job Corps to empowering seniors at Roosevelt Harris Jr. Center, Tanya has spent more than two decades uplifting others. As an entrepreneur, she understands the grit it takes to build lasting impact – and she brings that same drive to the SSAAHC mission.

Board of Directors

  • Odessa Rooks
  • Emory Rooks
  • Kevin Pullen
  • Judith Stevens
  • Frances Zwenig
  • Natalie Dixon
  • Paul McKenzie
  • Griffin Lotson
  • Mark Mosely
  • Amy Roberts

Join the Heritage Coalition

Join our journey! Become a member of St. Simons African American Heritage Coalition because you care about cultural history, the prevention of vanishing places, and the enrichment of what we are saving.

Membership

Join our mission today by completing and submitting the Membership application below.

Membership meetings are held at the Historic Harrington School Community Center, South Harrington Road, St. Simons Island, on 2nd Wednesdays monthly (except June) at 6:00 pm. Volunteers provide refreshments. These gatherings highlight special speakers, updates, partnerships, and community event planning.

Membership application

For more information contact us at 912.634.0330

Volunteer

Put your passions to a great cause!
Join like-minded volunteers to help lead history tours of Harrington, Jewtown, and South End neighborhoods. Volunteers assist in community event planning and orchestration, outreach and awareness, research, legal, education and exhibits, and so much more!

Volunteer

Our History

Black Harrington residents are direct descendants of the enslaved peoples who had worked on Georgia’s barrier islands during the plantation era.

In the years following the Civil War, newly freed African Americans bought land and formed three neighborhoods on St. Simons Island: Harrington, Jewtown, and South End. The largest, Harrington, originally consisted of people who had been enslaved on the northern half of the island.

The remaining Harrington families, who have owned large tracts of land since the end of the Civil War, are determined to hold on to their property.

The St. Simons African American Heritage Coalition originated on October 11, 2000, at the First African Baptist Church of St. Simons Island, Georgia. This meeting consisted of concerned citizens and property owners who lived on St. Simons, including representatives from the various Island neighborhoods.

SSAAHC saw an urgent need for something to be done about stopping and/or slowing the threat of encroachment by developers. The Island has been losing its African American heritage through land values and rezoning. The African American population is decreasing.

Many of our historic homes and buildings are being destroyed by new developments and escalating property taxes brought on by new construction.

What is happening on the Island affects the entire remaining population of African Americans living on the Island and/or currently retaining property on the Island.

Group members decided at that first meeting that change must begin with each resident retaining their property and the need for educating other African American neighbors about the importance of not selling out on their heritage. They were willing to come together – take a stand – and work for the betterment of the community more than 25 years ago.

Increased density and development continue in the Harrington neighborhood and our work in elevating the Island’s African American heritage and Gullah Geechee culture continues as we grow the coalition.

Will you join us today?