Celebrate the spirit of Juneteenth through the eyes of a true local with our latest feature. We sat down with Yolawnda Cohen-McKinney, a 6th-generation Gullah-Geechee native and the visionary behind Da Gullah-Geechee Pavilion of Hilton Head Island, to explore how she honors her heritage and ancestors during this meaningful season. From cherished family culinary traditions passed down through generations to her expert advice on experiencing the profound history at Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park, Yolawnda offers an intimate look at the resilience and joy that define the Gullah-Geechee experience. Join us as we dive into her favorite memories and discover how you can celebrate Juneteenth like a local in the heart of the Lowcountry.
Juneteenth Travels: How to Explore Hilton Head like a Local with Yolawnda Cohen-McKinney
Name: Yolawnda Cohen-McKinney
Title: Founder & Visionary
Organization: Da Gullah Geechee Pavilion of HHI
Intro: I am a 6th-generation Gullah-Geechee native of Hilton Head Island and the Founder and Visionary of Da Gullah-Geechee Pavilion. Like many native islanders, I left Hilton Head to pursue higher education and a career. Although I was away, I remained deeply connected to my family, community, and Gullah-Geechee traditions. Today, I have returned to my roots with a renewed purpose: to help preserve and share the rich culture, history, and legacy of the Gullah-Geechee people. Built on reclaimed ancestral land in the historic Stoney community, Da Gullah-Geechee Pavilion serves as a living testament to the resilience, heritage, and continuing story of our people. Guests have the unique opportunity to stay on land originally purchased by my great-great-great-grandfather, Caesar Jones, in the late 1800s. Through hospitality and cultural immersion, I strive to create a peaceful, serene, healing, and welcoming environment where visitors can relax, reflect, and develop a deeper appreciation for the rich history, traditions, and living legacy of the Gullah-Geechee people and Hilton Head Island.
Hometown: Hilton Head Island, SC
Current City: Hilton Head Island, SC
Website: www.dagullahgpavilionhhi.com
Social Links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dagullahgphhi/. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dagullahgphhi/. TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dagullahgphhi.
A brand that reminds you of home? The Gullah Museum of Hilton Head Island reminds me of home because it represents the stories, traditions, and strength of the people who built and shaped this island. Founded by my mother, Louise Miller Cohen, the museum preserves the voices and experiences of generations of Gullah-Geechee families and serves as a reminder that our culture is still alive and thriving today.
Favorite Juneteenth memories, traditions, or recipes? Juneteenth is a time of celebration, reflection, family, and gratitude. Some of my favorite memories involve gathering with family, sharing stories passed down through generations, and enjoying traditional Gullah-Geechee and Lowcountry dishes that connect us to our ancestors. Seafood has always been a central part of our family traditions. My father was both a fisherman and a shrimper, so we were blessed to enjoy fresh seafood throughout the year. Some of our favorite dishes included stewed shrimp and grits, stewed oysters and grits, and a variety of local fish, including mullet, whiting, bass, and trout. Whether fried or stewed and served over grits, these meals brought our family together and remain cherished traditions that continue to connect us to our heritage today.
Go-to tip for experiencing the Juneteenth festival at Historic Mitchellville Freedom Park? My advice is to slow down and truly take it all in. This area is rich with history, culture, and stories that deserve to be heard. Come with an open mind and an open heart. Take time to engage with the vendors, artists, storytellers, and community members who help bring this history to life. Visit the exhibits, ask questions, and learn about Historic Mitchelville’s role as America’s first self-governed town of formerly enslaved people. If you do, you’ll not only leave with memories, but a deeper connection to the people, history, and culture that continue to shape Hilton Head Island today.
What Gullah traditions do you incorporate into Juneteenth as well as other family celebrations? Juneteenth is a time of celebration, reflection, family, and gratitude. Some of my fondest memories involve gathering at our childhood home with family and friends, sharing traditional Gullah-Geechee meals, and reminiscing about growing up on Hilton Head Island. The table would often be filled with collard greens, macaroni and cheese, potato salad, fresh fish, shrimp, blue crabs, and seafood boils—foods that brought us together and connected us to our heritage.
As we gathered around the table, we would tell stories, share laughter, and reflect on the significance of family, freedom, and the strong sense of community that has sustained generations of Gullah-Geechee people. Those conversations often centered on our experiences growing up on the island, the lessons passed down from our elders, and the importance of keeping our culture and community spirit alive for future generations. For me, Juneteenth is not only a celebration of freedom, but also a reminder of the resilience, togetherness, and enduring legacy that continue to define our community today.
HISTORIC MITCHELVILLE JUNETEENTH EVENTS CALENDAR
WHEN & EVENT DETAILS:
Thursday, June 11 | 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM Juneteenth Campfire, Conversation & Sleepover with Joe McGill An America 250 Event | Admission: $25 Adults | Children under 12 free
Book here: https://exploremitchelville.org/events/juneteenth-campfire-26/
Gather around the fire for an evening of meaningful storytelling, shared history, and community connection. Joe McGill of The Slave Dwelling Project leads this special program inviting participants to reflect on life in the Lowcountry during the Revolutionary War era — including what daily life looked like for enslaved individuals on Hilton Head Island in 1776. As part of the national America 250 commemoration, the evening offers a thoughtful look at the past while creating space for honest dialogue and reflection in the present.
Guests will share a family-style dinner prepared with traditional Gullah recipes, gather around the campfire for guided conversation and storytelling, and have the option to extend the evening with a primitive-style sleepover on the grounds. Limited tents are available for $25, and guests are also welcome to bring their own camping equipment. Park restrooms will remain open overnight.
This is a rare opportunity to slow down, sit with history, and connect — both with the story of this place and with the people gathered to hear it. Registration is required. Bring your own chair and comfort items. Open to all ages.
Friday, June 12 | 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM Children’s Drum Camp Admission: Free | Registration required
Register here: https://exploremitchelville.org/events/childrens-drum-camp-26/
Children are invited to take part in this hands-on drumming experience where they will learn basic techniques, explore rhythm and movement, and prepare for a special parade through the park that leads directly into the evening’s Drum Circle. Children who pre-register by June 5, 2026 will receive a take-home keepsake. Open to children of all ages; a parent or guardian must be present. Advance registration is required to ensure materials and supplies.
Friday, June 12 | 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM Juneteenth Celebration Drum Circle Admission Free | Open to all | No registration required
The energy of the Drum Camp carries into this vibrant, community-wide Drum Circle, an interactive evening of rhythm, movement, and celebration open to all ages. The program opens with a traditional libation ceremony, a practice of pouring water as a gesture of remembrance and gratitude, before the drums take over and the community comes alive. Experienced facilitators lead the circle, and everyone is invited to participate through drumming, dancing, or simply taking in the moment. Food and artisan vendors will be on site. Bring your own chair and comfort items. No outside food or drink permitted.
Saturday, June 13 | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM 12th Annual Juneteenth Celebration Festival featuring Stokley | Admission: $10 | Children 10 and under free
Tickets here: https://exploremitchelville.org/events/juneteenth-celebration/
The signature event of the weekend brings the full community together for a day of live music, cultural celebration, Gullah foodways, and connection on the historic grounds of Mitchelville. From the first performance to the final set, the festival is designed to honor history, uplift community, and celebrate freedom in a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere.
Guests can expect live music and performances throughout the day, local artists and vendors showcasing handmade goods, food trucks and traditional Gullah cuisine, community storytelling and cultural activations, dance contests, karaoke, interactive programming for all ages, and youth performances.
Headlining the festival is Stokley — GRAMMY-nominated vocalist, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist, and lead singer and drummer of the legendary R&B group Mint Condition. Stokley has collaborated with some of the most celebrated names in music, including Prince, Whitney Houston, and Janet Jackson. His 2017 debut solo album, Introducing Stokley, produced two top-five Billboard singles, “Organic” and “Level.” His performance promises to be a fitting close to a day rooted in joy, resilience, and community.
Bring your chairs, umbrellas, and picnic blankets. Come early and stay all day. No outside food or drink permitted.
Friday, June 19 | 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM Juneteenth 5K with Palmetto Running Registration: $35 Adults | $20 ages 13–18 | Children 12 and under free
Register here: https://runsignup.com/Race/SC/HiltonHeadIsland/MitchelvilleJuneteenth5K
Close out the Juneteenth commemoration with a spirited 5K race celebrating freedom, unity, and progress. Walk, run, or jog — every step is a symbol of resilience and community. Registration includes a commemorative t-shirt and a unique keepsake finisher’s medal. Packet pick-up takes place at the park from 8:00–8:45 AM, followed by a pre-race group stretch session at 8:45 AM. The race begins at 9:00 AM. Awards will be given to the overall male and female finishers and first-place finishers in each age group. Post-race stretch sessions are available — sign up with StretchLab on site. Children 12 and under race free, but do not receive a t-shirt.
Where:
Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park
40 Harriet Tubman Way
Hilton Head Island, SC 29926
For More Information:
Visit exploremitchelville.org or call 843-255-7301.
Comments
