b'LIGHT-KEEPERFouchna ChFouchSheppard could teach a masterclassConversation with Fouch is nuanced. Wanting you to know her and on the heart of diversity, equity and inclusion. She views the sins ofwith a whisper of her sea island accent, she punctuates it with the the regions past and the injustices that will always permeate culturehighly lyrical, melodic Gullah Geechee language as a demonstration through the lens of faith. In a letter she received from the White Houseof her craft. Not a dialect of English, the African Creole language, in 2017, President Barack Obama commended her for working toshe explains, was genius, a matter of life and death. Slaves in the 18 thensure our nation lives up to our highest ideals and remains a beaconcentury were beaten because they could not understand the directions of hope and opportunity. given to them by plantation owners. The language unified slave owners, European slave traders and African ethnic groups who spoke different This Chamber member, native Gullah storyteller, inspirational speakerdialects.and award-winning poet radiates light. She is not afraid to speak up to illuminate the dark places and share her understanding of humanitys challenges, the Chambers mission and the purposes in front of all of us.Many come to appreciate the Gullah tradition on Meeting Street at the Charleston City Market where they discover baskets crafted from sweetgrass, a marsh grass that thrives in the Lowcountry. The Gullah Geechee people are African Americans who have traditionally lived in the coastal areas and sea islands of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida. The Gullah basketry tradition has been passed down for 300 years. It is the passing down of the larger story of her unique Gullah ancestry that Fouch calls her lifelong calling. Born poor, the youngest of seven children and with a severe reading disorder, Fouch was put on earth, her grandmother believed, to do special work for God enriching others. West African tradition says the seventh child is especially significant. Thousands have been captivated by her colorful expression of songs, spirituals, gospels and psalms from the Bible that teach morality, ethics and personal responsibility for ones actions.32 CHAMBER RETROSPECTIVE250 YEARS'