Gullah Geechee Families Struggle to Retain Ancestral Lands Amid Rising Taxes and Unclear Titles
The Gullah Geechee community, descendants of formerly enslaved West Africans in the southeastern U.S., is facing significant challenges in retaining their ancestral lands. These lands, often passed down through generations without formal wills, are known as heirs' properties. The lack of clear titles and rising property taxes are major threats to their ownership. Many families, like that of Arthur Champen on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, have nearly lost their lands due to delinquent tax sales. Non-profit organizations such as the Pan-African Family Empowerment and Land Preservation Network (PAFEN) have stepped in to help pay off these taxes, but the problem persists. The community is also threatened by predatory developers who exploit the unclear ownership of these properties. Efforts to address these issues include legislative measures like the Clementa C Pinckney Uniform Partition of Heirs’ Property Act, which aims to prevent forced sales by allowing co-owners to buy out others who wish to sell. 
