09/10/2026
If you weren’t able to make it to our Saltwater Stories Seabreeze edition you gotta run to YouTube to catch the conversation! From black land ownership to farming to food culture heritage and history this conversation on black owned beach shore front property is inspiring informational and encouraging to those that are doing the work to make sure our heritage and culture is preserved and not forgotten, read below for more details or go ahead and go to YouTube and type “WilmingtoNColor saltwater stories”
What does it mean to preserve Black land, protect our waters, and ensure that the stories of our ancestors are never forgotten?
In this special panel discussion from Saltwater Stories: Seabreeze, nationally recognized voices gather on historic Black-owned beachfront property in Seabreeze, North Carolina, for an unforgettable conversation about history, culture, environmental stewardship, and the future of Black coastal communities.
Hosted by WilmingtoNColor Heritage Tours and Voyce, this discussion was presented in partnership with the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor and SC Sea Grant as part of our sold-out Saltwater Stories series.
Panelists:
• Brea Baker – Bestselling author of Rooted: The American Legacy of Land Theft and the Modern Movement for Black Land Ownership
• Chef Keith Rhodes – Two-time James Beard Award nominee, Top Chef alumnus, and owner of Catch Restaurant
• Sister Elise Freeman-Muhammad – Freeman family descendant and storyteller preserving the legacy of Seabreeze and Freeman Beach
• Cedric Harrison – Founder of WilmingtoNColor Heritage Tours and moderator
Together, they explore:
• The history and legacy of Seabreeze, one of America’s most significant Afro-Indigenous beach communities
• Black land ownership and why it matters today
• Food, culture, and storytelling as tools for preservation
• Marine debris, water protection, and environmental justice
• The importance of protecting historic Black communities for future generations
