Draft:Luana M. Graves Sellars

Submission declined on 30 October 2024 by Ktkvtsh (talk).

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Declined by Ktkvtsh 1 second ago. Last edited by Ktkvtsh 1 second ago. Reviewer: Inform author.

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Comment: Zero Sources Ktkvtsh (talk) 20:11, 30 October 2024 (UTC)

A native-born New Yorker, Luana M. Graves Sellars, quickly discovered that weather wise, she was really "a mis-placed Floridian". After a career in advertising as a media buyer, music promotions and marketing and owning two large capacity preschools, even though she has a degree in Journalism and Black History, she wasn’t prepared to live on Hilton Head Island, one of the most culturally rich and historic areas of the South.

Growing up she didn’t know what culture her family came from, even though she had family who would often refer to their pride in their Geechee heritage. It wasn’t until she was an adult that she discovered through her work as a Gullah focused writer/blogger that she had been living in a Gullah Geechee household and experienced the traditions and foods all along.

Growing up she didn’t know what culture her family came from, even though she had family who would often refer to their pride in their Geechee heritage. It wasn’t until she was an adult that she discovered through her work as a Gullah focused writer/blogger for [1] that she had been living in a Gullah Geechee household and experienced the traditions and foods all along.

A passion for discovering more about her Gullah Geechee roots and her culture led Luana to become a cultural influencer and preservationist through her writing, which is focused on educating others, as well as documenting Gullah culture, its history, and people.

In 2019, as the Founder of the nonprofit(s) Lowcountry Gullah and the Lowcountry Gullah Foundation, a nonprofit that raises funds to protect and preserve historic Gullah land for future generations. Lowcountry Gullah was established to document and educate people about the rich significance of the culture and its role in American history and society today. The Foundation was formed to support the overall Lowcountry Gullah mission, and specifically focus on preserving what’s left of historic Gullah land through a proactive approach, guidance and education.

In 2021, she started her own company, Sankofa Communications expanding her content creation into visual media, where she has written, directed, and produced multiple award winning historic and culturally focused documentaries, Harriet Tubman | From the Railroad to a Spy (Best Film - Africa USA International Film Festival) and Colored Troops of the Civil War | Courage. Determination. Survival (Grand Jury Heritage Award - Filmteenth International Black Film Festival), as well as the award winning Lowcountry Gullah Podcast.

A self-described community activist and cultural influencer, Luana spends most of her days working towards "residential equality" for Hilton Head Island's local Gullah community as one of the Native Island Leaders and a frequent keynote speaker on sustaining Gullah culture. Through her work, she is doing her part to sustain and preserve Gullah Geechee culture for future generations.

Luana often says, “It’s so important that we learn from the past to improve the future.” In African tradition, it is expected that one not only speaks in their voice, but also in the voice of our voiceless ancestors. So much history, especially Black & Gullah history, has been hidden or removed from textbooks. As a result, her passion is telling untold stories that educate and inspire people to understand more about who they are and possibly connecting to a significantly rich culture that they didn't know that they had.

Filmography

Colored Troops of the Civil War | Courage. Determination. Survival.

Awards

Filmteenth International Film Festival | Heritage Award 2024 Africa USA International Film Festival | Honorable Mention 2024 Documentaries Without Borders International Film Festival | Documentary Exceptional Merit 2024 Documentaries Without Borders International Film Festival | Documentary Exceptional Merit - Narration Talent 2024 Documentaries Without Borders International Film Festival | Documentary Excellence - Research 2024

Finalist

Essence Film Festival | Documentary 2024 Pan African International Film Festival of Cannes | Documentary 2024

Festival Selection/Nominations

Global Film Festival | Documentary 2024 The International Gullah Film Festival | Documentary 2024 Bill Johnson Black Film Festival | Documentary 2024 Urban Film Festival | Documentary 2024

Harriet Tubman | From the Railroad to a Spy

Awards

Africa USA International Film Festival | Best Film 2024 Documentaries Without Borders International Film Festival | Biography Outstanding Excellence 2024 Documentaries Without Borders International Film Festival | Documentary Narration Talent 2024

Festival Selection/Nominations

Seeking | The Gullah Religious Tradition

Selection/Nominations

The International Gullah Film Festival | Documentary Short 2024

References