Today we’d like to introduce you to Taiwan Scott.
Hi Taiwan, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
In around 2015 I had an idea to open an openair food court with an area for local small business owners can set-up and sell their products. After receiving all necessary permits and licenses, I encountered resistance from the Town of Hilton Head Island. Issues included moving permitted buildings, changing stain color, and can countless other ways to stop my business from opening. After nearly 7 years of appearing in court, representing myself, I finally was allowed to open my business! It has since grown into HHI first and only food truck court with 5 permanent food vendors.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely was not a smooth road. After researching Gullah owned businesses on HHI, I was able to determine that from 1983 to 2015 when I obtained my license that not one Gullah family had been able to open a new business, in new buildings, on their land. Our business was the first and i became very outspoken about the systemic issues (imposed by the Town) regarding Gullah land loss and our ability to participate in HHI multi-million-dollar economy.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Beautiful Island Square/ Gullah Advocate?
Beautiful Island Square is the food truck court.
This is a hard question to answer as; I am a licensed Real Estate Agent; however, my main focus has been working with heirs’ property owners with and advocating for land retention/development/lease vs sale. Also, as an advocate for voting rights, I was the plaintiff against the State of SC on the racially gerrymandering of CD-1, my district. I testified in federal district court on behalf of my Gullah community. Three federal judges ruled in our favor which led to SC appealing to the US Supreme Court. The SC overturned the federal court’s decision.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
Land/Culture Retention & Economic Sustainable Opportunity for my Gullah community on HHI.
Our presence on HHI continues to dwindle, we are now about 6%
Contact Info:
- Website: https://beautifulislandsquare.com/
- Instagram: @beautifulislandsquare
- Facebook: Beautiful Island square Hilton Head Island Sc
