Conference - Coastal Carolina University
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International Gullah Geechee and African Diaspora Conference

IGGAD 2024 Speaking with an Unbroken Tongue February 22-24, 2024

The Charles W. Joyner Institute of Gullah and African Diaspora Studies at Coastal Carolina University invites abstracts, poster sessions, lightning talks, workshops, performances, and panel proposals for its Fourth International Gullah Geechee and African Diaspora Conference (IGGAD). This year’s theme – Speaking with an Unbroken Tongue: Exploring and Celebrating the Language and Culture of Gullah Geechee People and the African Diaspora, focuses on the use of Gullah Geechee oral and cultural language, and how they/we have used them to stay connected to their/our legacy within the African Diaspora; create, protect, and sustain Gullah Geechee communities; and influence American society. 

IGGAD encourages submissions that present new works, projects, analyses and critiques of public interpretation and performances as well as research of Creole and first nation languages within the African Diaspora and indigenous people. The Joyner Institute of Gullah and African Diaspora Studies believes there is value in continuing these linguistic journeys as vital tools to preserve cultural identity through stories, shared memories, histories, and wisdoms.  IGGAD encourages research in areas such as Afrofuturism, gender studies, Pan-Africanism, theories of race and politics, as well as other topics that intersect with the heritage and culture of the global African Diaspora. Of special importance is our conference’s emphasis on the community-based participatory model, which recognizes the importance of cultural practitioners and community participation to the success of the conference. To this end, the last day of our conference is a public-facing community day that will be held in the historic City of Conway, South Carolina, near the Myrtle Beach and Georgetown areas. This day will combine workshops, performances, and film screenings with project presentations and short lectures. Submitters should indicate interest in giving a public-facing presentation on their initiative or project when submitting their proposals.

To accommodate our international participants and funding deadlines, IGGAD will have a rolling notification of decisions of acceptance. We will stop accepting applications on November 15 and provide notification no later than November 20. Contact IGGAD@coatal.edu for more information.

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Learn more about the Conference

Sponsors

The IGAAD Committee is grateful for the following sponsors:

 

Diamond Sponsors ($10,000+)

Platinum Sponsors ($5,000+)

Teal Sponsors ($2,000+)

 

The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation 

 

 

 

The Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor Commission

Athenaeum Press
Coastal Carolina University

 

 Office of Diversity and Inclusion
Coastal Carolina University

Frances P. Bunnelle Foundation
Mini-Grant

South Carolina Humanities
Mini-grant

Gullah Preservation Society
Craft Supplies and Swag Materials

Premium Sponsors ($1,000+)

Sponsors ($500+)  Partners 

Sustain Coastal

Whittemore Racepath Historical Society

The Village Group 

Department of Anthropology and Geography

 Department of English

Department of Languages and Intercultural Studies

Department of History

 

Department of Music

Department of Visual Arts

Coastal Carolina University

Horry County Museum

Downtown Alive

City of Conway

Horry County Memorial Library

Waccamaw National Wildlife Foundation

 

If you are interested in supporting the 2022 conference, please reach out to Alli Crandell. We do accept material donations and in-kind services, alongside monetary contributions. 

 

Past Sponsors

The Burroughs Fund for Southern Studies | Magnolia Plantation and Gardens | Marjorie McIver | SC Sea Grant Consortium  | Friendship Missionary Baptist Church | The Village Group | Digital Culture and Design and the Edwards Digital Commons | Office of Diversity and Inclusion | South Carolina Humanities (Major Hometown Humanities Grant) | Horry County Higher Education Commission | Cultural Arts, Coastal Carolina University

 

 

Past Conferences

Past Conferences

IGGAD22 Program (Who Owns This?)

IGGAD2020: Without Borders Program (updated 2.28)

IGGAD 2020 Digital Repository

Photos from our Conference and Community Day.

Press Coverage of Previous IGGAD Conferences