Did you know that most of the enslaved persons brought to Utah came from a culture known even today as Gullah Geechee?

Our Executive Director Robert Burch teaches a class at the University of Utah on this culture and peoples -- complete with food, language, and customs. This is part 1 of a 3 part class session design. This is a 3-class session, culminating in a final class time of food cooking and a dinner of the culture.

Journey through time to discover the rich heritage of a unique African American community that influences every aspect of Utah life today--the origins and history of the Gullah Geechee culture. Uncover the historical background and geographical context that shaped the people, tracing their origins from Africa through the transatlantic slave trade to the Lowcountry of South Carolina and Georgia. Discover the Gullah language and dialect, a linguistic treasure enduring through generations. Discover the distinctive foodways and savor the flavors of Gullah Geechee cuisine. Join us for this journey into the heart of the culture where history, language, art, music, and cuisine converge to create a unique and enduring legacy.

This class takes place in person at the University Connected Learning and Continuing Education building (540 Arapeen Drive, SLC) for the first two sessions and in the Food Lab located in College of Health, Physical Education and Recreation in classroom HPER N 227 on University Main Campus for the final session. Special fee is for cooking ingredients.