Queen Quet to visit Preston

14 October 2019

The elected Queen of the Gullah/Geechee Nation will speak at UCLan on 28 October as part of Black History Month celebrations

The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) is proud to welcome Queen Quet, of the Gullah/Geechee Nation, to Preston to speak as part of the Black History Month celebrations.

She will be giving a presentation entitled ‘The Reality of Being Gullah/Geechee’ on Monday 28 October in UCLan’s Media Factory.

Gullah/Geechees are a proud people of African descent on the Sea Islands in the Atlantic Ocean, off the United States of America, who have maintained their own unique language, music, foodways and traditions.

"This event raises crucial issues of human rights and climate change. This is an exciting opportunity for the public, staff and students to discuss some pressing issues."

In this interactive histo-musical presentation, Queen Quet will bring to life ‘The Reality of Being Gullah/Geechee’. She will provide information on how this unique ethnic group of people of African and indigenous American descent, that reside on the Sea Islands, have either been left out of history books or misrepresented in fictional films and books.

She will take us will take us on a journey through their cultural history, the continuing legacy of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, human rights and their current stand to stay on their land.

Their way of life is currently under threat from the effects of climate change.

Dr Yvonne Reddick, Research Fellow in Modern English and World Literatures at UCLan, said: “What better way to celebrate Black History Month than by hearing from Queen Quet about the unique Geechee/Gullah Nation? This event raises crucial issues of human rights and climate change. This is an exciting opportunity for the public, staff and students to discuss some pressing issues. We're proud to be hosting Queen Quet at the Institute for Black Atlantic Research (IBAR) and the Lancashire Research Centre for Migration, Diaspora and Exile (MIDEX).”

The free event, which will take place between 12.30pm and 2.30pm in UCLan’s Creative Innovation Zone (ME414), is part of UCLan’s English Literature and Creative Writing ‘In Conversation Series’.

To register for you free ticket visit Eventbrite.