Transitions 2022: Greetings from Deloris P. Pringle, Chair of Penn Center’s Board of Trustees

Greetings:

Thank you to our outgoing trustees and welcome to our incoming trustees as we begin our work in 2022. New Trustees are Arnold Brown, Tia Harris, Anthony Simmons, and John Troutman. We will provide a profile of new Trustees very soon. We also extend a huge welcome to the new Penn Center officers: Donellia Chives, Dr. Vashti Washington, Cynthia Porcher, and Dr. Barbara McCaskill. The passing of Marion Burns and Laura Morris in late 2021 was deeply felt. Their dedication and commitment to Penn Center will live on through their accomplishments and our memories of working with them. We also want to thank and recognize former Executive Director Bernie Wright who has stepped in to lead the organization at a critical time in its history. Mr. Wright has been invaluable. He is donating his time and talents and doing a masterful job. And thank you to the Penn staff for their service to the organization.

Historic Penn Center has undergone a remarkable evolution in the past three years as we pursued our vision to preserve and serve the South Carolina Sea Islands. One of the most profound changes over this time has been a richer understanding of and a deeper commitment to sustain this great organization. Moreover, as we work together in 2022, we will continue to place a high priority on the preservation of Penn’s buildings and the making visible the Center’s rich history in our current and future programs.

We have an updated strategic plan and a new comprehensive plan to update and re-design the York W. Baily Museum. Our Mellon Foundation supported partnership with the Willson Center for the Humanités and Art at the University of Georgia (UGA) will provide scholarly programs at Penn Center beginning in June with classes for students from Spelman College, College of Charleston and UGA. Additionally, there will be a series of rich panel conversations on key sea island issues throughout 2022 and an incredible Artist in Residence program that will imbed Gullah- Geechee culture into creative artworks. Emory Campbell has been selected as a Community Research Fellow and will work with the project to document Gullah Geechee history and culture.

We want to thank Beaufort County Council, the foundations, contributors, and the many stakeholders who helped us achieve amazing results, either through their financial support, direct engagement, or through the constructive feedback that we rely on them to provide. We look forward to continuing to work with a broad and diverse range of supporters. This is especially true as we work to address areas

needing attention, such as: land issues, environment, youth development, history and culture, preservation, and leadership training.

Thank you to all for your ongoing commitment to historic Penn Center and for your support.

Sincerely,

Deloris P. Pringle, Chair

Board of Trustees