Gullah-Geechee Land and Cultural Preservation Task Force
On December 3, 2020, Lavon Stevens, Chair of The Gullah-Geechee Land and Cultural Preservation Task Force, presented an overview of the critical issues facing the Gullah Community at the Greater Island Council of Hilton Head Island and Bluffton’s monthly general meeting of members.
About Gullah-Geechee Land and Cultural Preservation Task Force
The goal of The Gullah-Geechee Land and Cultural Preservation Task Force is to identify and assist in the preservation of the Gullah-Geechee culture for the purpose of detecting and resolving issues specific to its community, including, without limitation, heirs property, taxes and land use, economic and sustainability issues for an improved quality of life, and through on-going educational programs, workshops and seminars.
About Lavon Stevens
A native of Savannah, Ga. Lavon began singing and playing piano at the age of 7. He began performing in local groups across the Southeast at the age of thirteen. His first instrument was the violin. He later studied voice and piano at Dekalb College in Atlanta, Ga. from 1979 to 1983. Lavon Stevens is one of the most versatile and talented artists in the music business.
Lavon has traveled and performed all over the country including Aspen, Atlanta, Orlando and New York with Hilton Head Island being his home since 1981. He is one of the premier entertainers on Hilton Head Island. Lavon has been a licensed Realtor since 2003. He has served as the Vice Chair for The Mitchelville Preservation Project. Lavon also serves on the Town of Hilton Head Island’s Planning Commission as Vice Chair, where he is also the Chair of The Gullah-Geechee Land & Cultural Preservation Task Force. He is a member of the board of directors for the Junior Jazz Foundation. He served as minister of music at The Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church of Hilton Head Island for 16 years and is currently serving on staff at The First Presbyterian Church on Hilton Head Island as the music director for “The CrossRoads”, a contemporary worship service, since 2006. He has served as a member of the Board of Directors for The Hilton Head Island Symphony Orchestra and has performed with the Orchestra. He is one of the music event producers for The Native Island Gullah Celebration Festival.