Seabreeze edition of “Saltwater Stories” highlights black coastal history in Wilmington
WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — On August 2, guests from across the country will gather at historic Black-owned beachfront property in Seabreeze, North Carolina, for Saltwater Stories: Seabreeze Edition, an immersive cultural experience highlighting food, history, and community legacy.
Presented by WilmingtoNColor and Voyce, the event will center on the history of Seabreeze and Freeman’s Beach, widely regarded as one of the most significant Afro-Indigenous coastal communities in the United States. Once known as the “Black Beach of the Carolinas,” Seabreeze served as a refuge and gathering place for Black families during the Jim Crow era, when segregation restricted access to many public beaches and resorts.
This installment of Saltwater Stories brings together nationally recognized voices, cultural leaders, and descendants of the community’s founding families for an evening dedicated to storytelling, education, and preservation.
Voices of History and Cultural Leadership
The program will feature storytelling from Sister Elise, a descendant of the historic Freeman family, whose ancestors played a central role in establishing Seabreeze as a cultural and economic hub for Black coastal life.
Attendees will also hear from Brea Baker, bestselling author of Rooted: The American Legacy of Land Theft and the Modern Movement for Black Land Ownership, Yale University graduate, and nationally recognized advocate for land and racial justice.
Together, their presentations will explore themes of land ownership, identity, freedom, and cultural preservation along the North Carolina coast.
Culinary Experience Rooted in Coastal Heritage
Guests will be served a curated three-course seafood dinner prepared by Chef Keith Rhodes, a former Bravo Top Chef contestant and two-time James Beard Award nominee. Each course will be paired with narratives connecting the region’s culinary traditions to the history and families of Seabreeze.
Community Panel on Preservation and Stewardship
The second portion of the evening will feature a panel discussion presented in partnership with the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor and SC Sea Grant.
Panel participants include Brea Baker, Sister Elise, Chef Keith Rhodes, and WilmingtoNColor founder Cedric Harrison. The conversation will focus on cultural preservation, marine debris, water protection, and environmental stewardship of coastal communities.
Growing Cultural Series
Saltwater Stories has rapidly grown into one of North Carolina’s most in-demand cultural experiences, consistently selling out and drawing attendees from across the region. The Seabreeze Edition marks the most ambitious installment to date, hosted on one of the most historically significant Black-owned coastal properties in the South.
Organizers say the event reflects a broader national conversation about land ownership, historical preservation, and the protection of cultural heritage sites.
Event Details
Saltwater Stories: Seabreeze Edition
Sunday, August 2, 2026
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Location: 1114 S Seabreeze Rd, Wilmington, NC
Tickets: $125 (includes three-course meal, storytelling experience, panel discussion, and a copy of Brea Baker’s Rooted)
Featuring:
- Sister Elise, Freeman Family Descendant and Seabreeze Storyteller
- Brea Baker, Bestselling Author and Activist
- Chef Keith Rhodes, Chef and James Beard Award Nominee
- Cedric Harrison, Founder of WilmingtoNColor Heritage Tours
Highlights:
- Three-course coastal seafood dining experience
- Live storytelling on historic Black-owned beachfront land
- Exploration of Seabreeze and Freeman’s Beach history
- Panel discussion on preservation and environmental stewardship
- Engagement with cultural leaders and descendants preserving coastal heritage
The event is supported in collaboration with the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor.
