George Beatty, Jr. of Navassa/Cedar Hill, became involved with preserving his heritage as Chair of the North Carolina Rice Festival. This event honors the agricultural expertise and culture of the Gullah Geechee.
As Chair, his personal talents and dedication, combined with strong community ties, refocused the festival to its ongoing mission of “education through celebration.” For George, their ancestors should be remembered for all they sacrificed for their children and for all they gave to the world.
George Beatty Jr. joined his ancestors on December 28th, 2023. As Leland Councilman Bill McHugh stated, “Our community has lost one of it’s greatest leaders and advocates.”
You can see and experience George’s work and dedication by attending this year’s North Carolina Rice Festival. This festival, run by descendants of the people it celebrates, along with local volunteers (community activists and organizers, historians, and artisans) invite you to celebrate rice!
