Lowcountry

The Lowcountry refers to specific regions of Georgia and South Carolina. There are many Black American communities in these regions, including various substantial Gullah Geechee populations. Many Gullah Geechee communities are located on coastal islands in these regions, and these communities are unfortunately being gradually displaced by the economic encroachment of corporations and wealthy white people.

New Jersey

Jerkins was born and raised in New Jersey, in a suburb near Atlantic City. Jerkins’ great-great-grandfather initially relocated to New Jersey from Georgia in order to escape violent racism. Jerkins considers some of the geographical and cultural divisions between Black Americans in the North versus the South. Ultimately, Jerkins emphasized the necessity of embracing the many connections between the two groups rather than the divisions.

Louisiana

Jerkins visited Louisiana in order to learn about Creole culture and history. Prior to being an American territory, Louisiana was a French colony...