South Carolina woman posthumously wins settlement over Black ancestral land

osephine Wright in June 2023. She died aged 94 in 2024, having spent her last days fighting to protect her family’s ancestral home.

Josephine Wright, a 94-year-old Hilton Head Island resident who recently passed away, spent her final days protecting her family's ancestral home in South Carolina from developers. After her death, her family reached a settlement with Bailey Point Investment, the construction company vying for their land. The settlement confirms the Wright family's ownership and prohibits further contact from Bailey Point regarding land purchase.

Additionally, a privacy fence will be erected between the Wright family's property and the new development.

Wright's story gained national attention as she stood up against a powerful development company, receiving support from figures like Tyler Perry, Snoop Dogg, and Kyrie Irving. A GoFundMe campaign raised over $350,000. Wright, survived by numerous descendants, moved to Hilton Head Island seeking peace and tranquility three decades ago. Her late husband's Gullah Geechee family has owned land on the island for generations.

Hilton Head Island, once predominantly Gullah Geechee, has seen a decline in Black land ownership. Bailey Point's lawsuit against Wright sparked controversy, alleging encroachment on their land. Wright faced harassment tactics from the company but refused to sell. The settlement secures her family's land, and they plan to continue her legacy through the Josephine Wright Foundation, supporting others facing similar challenges.