Gullah: A Name They Call Me

April 15, 2015

ISBN: 13 978-0-9779894-0-9

Log Line by

Herman Brown

Gullah, is a name popularized because of the American

island of his birth. With his cultural heritage on the brink

of disappearing, our unique professional fights for

survival. In a fear-filled era and the Browning of

America, his pure Gullah bloodline remains resilient.

SYNOPSIS (UP TO 600 WORDS)

“Gullah: A Name They Call Me”

Synopsis by

Herman Brown

“Gullah: A Name They Call Me” is the portrayal of

events of a unique people placed under the cultural

microscope in an unforgettable and entertaining way for

all to see. The saga picks up and expands on where

Alex Haley’s Roots did not reach.

“Gullah: A Name They Call Me” begins when a

Mississippi family visit becomes a teachable moment

while sipping coffee. R. H. Brown, a southern Sea

Coast Islander discusses the “Browning of America”

with his sister-in-law Harriette, his wife Bettye, and her

niece’s daughter Pinkie.

Very quickly, what sets out to be a political chat among

family morphs into another time period. Its a scene

where the journalist known as Gullah, walks onto the

television set of a local CBS Affiliate to report on the

attack of The Twin Towers in New York City.

Brown reflects on the moment the first shots of the Civil

War are fired at Fort Sumter, South Carolina. Sipping

coffee becomes a shared history lesson about 11 year

old patriarch Jackson Brown. Leaving the isolated

surroundings of the Sea Coast Island of his birth, one of

Jackson Brown’s teenage descendants and future

journalist grows into manhood, experiencing intrigue

and adventure on the shores of America and abroad.

“Gullah: A Name They Call Me” featuring the

escapades of Henry Slim Brown, Gullah’s father, is

filled with human betrayal of the heart, womanizing,

physical and sexual abuse, and endurance of poverty

as well as a celebration of plenty. The Gullah with their

unique heritage within the African American group

boasts of having a direct link to Sierra Leone West

Africa. Learn of the devious legal actions of real estate

developers as they confiscate land from the indigenous

group, having the purest bloodline of all African slaves

brought to America in wooded ships.

“Gullah: A Name They Call Me” is a chance to see and

consider how this cultural group, like a piece of puzzle,

fits into a future “Browning of America”. Since their

arrival in America, the Gullah have participated in

nearly every military conflict fought in this country and

on foreign soil. Jackson Brown’s descendant, the army

medic they call “Gullah” is no different. Gullah: A Name

They Call Me, see and witness the reality as a branch

from the Brown linage holds on to his family tree. The

screenplay is based on the book, “Call Me Gullah: An

American Heritage”, 

YouTube https://youtube/6ZTMydpBWnA Gullah

Journalist from St. Helena Island.

LEAD CHARACTER NAME

R. H. Brown

DESCRIPTION

R. H. Brown “aka” Gullah, the descendant of Jackson

Brown leaves the island of his birth after the death of

his parents by age 17. Not really knowing about his

cultural heritage, young Herman heads north to

Stamford, Connecticut only to realize that his speech

pattern is different. Having a desire to own a radio

station, Gullah drops his accent and enrolls at an

HBCU and a broadcasting school. The army veteran

who almost married his half sister returns south, where

a career in journalism inspires him to become an author

who writes his autobiography.

Other Main Character Descriptions

Main Character 1

NAME

Jackson Brown

DESCRIPTION

Jackson Brown, the young slave and ancestor of the

Brown Family of St. Helena Island is 11 years old

when shots are first fired at Ft. Sumter, South Carolina

during the start of The American Civil War.

Main Character 2

NAME

Henry Slim Brown

DESCRIPTION

Henry Slim Brown, with his smiling effervescent

personality, the actions of the dark-complexioned

father of Gullah can best be described as that of a

married womanizer. Words of the Temptation’s song

Papa Was A Rolling Stone fits this farmer like a well

tailored suit.

Main Character 3

NAME

 Jane Springer

DESCRIPTION

Jane Springer, the much older needy senior citizen

falls head over heels for the younger Slim Brown.

Springer now living alone was the elderly cougar of the

neighborhood and engaged in frequent trysts with the

man she calls Fudge.