Ron Daise (Singer) Wiki, Biography, Age, Wife, Children, Height, Weight, Net worth, Tribe, Family, Career, and more

Ron Daise is a man of many talents and passions. He is a singer, actor, author, educator, and cultural performer who has dedicated his life to preserving and promoting his Gullah heritage. Gullah is the name of the African-American community that inhabits the Sea Islands of South Carolina and Georgia, and their unique language, culture, and history.

Early Life and Education

Ron was born on January 29, 1956 (Age: 67 Years; as of 2023) in St. Helena Island, South Carolina, as the youngest of nine siblings. He grew up surrounded by the rich traditions and stories of his Gullah family, who traced their roots to West Africa. He learned to speak Gullah, a Creole language that blends English and African words and grammar, and to appreciate the music, art, cuisine, and spirituality of his ancestors.

Career

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Ron’s love for Gullah culture led him to pursue a career in the arts and education. He graduated from the University of South Carolina with a degree in journalism and mass communications and later earned a master’s degree in education from Lesley University. He worked as a reporter, editor, and columnist for several newspapers and magazines, and also as a teacher and administrator for public schools and colleges.

Ron’s breakthrough came in 1987, when he and his wife, Natalie, who is also an artist and educator, published a children’s book called Reminiscing in Tempo: A Portrait of Duke Ellington. The book, which was based on Ron’s interviews with the legendary jazz musician, won several awards and caught the attention of Nickelodeon, a popular children’s television network.

Nickelodeon invited Ron and Natalie to create and star in a show that would introduce Gullah culture to a national audience. The result was Gullah Gullah Island, a colorful and lively program that featured songs, stories, games, and characters inspired by the Sea Islands. The show ran for four seasons from 1994 to 1998 and was nominated for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Pre-School Series.

Gullah Gullah Island was a hit with children and adults alike and helped to raise awareness and appreciation for Gullah culture. Ron and Natalie became celebrities and ambassadors for their community and continued to perform and produce Gullah-themed shows, books, and albums. They also traveled around the country and the world, giving lectures, workshops, and concerts on Gullah history and culture.

Ron’s passion for Gullah culture also led him to participate in various initiatives and organizations that aim to preserve and protect the Sea Islands and their people. He served as the chairman of the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor, a federal program that recognizes and supports the cultural and historical significance of the Gullah Geechee region. He also worked as the vice president for creative education at Brookgreen Gardens, a botanical and sculpture garden in South Carolina that showcases the natural and cultural heritage of the Lowcountry.

Ron is also an avid researcher and writer, who has published several books and articles on Gullah culture and history. He received a Fulbright-Hays fellowship in 2004, which allowed him to visit Ghana and Sierra Leone, the ancestral lands of many Gullah people. He wrote a memoir about his experience, called Gullah Branches: West African Roots, which explores the connections and contrasts between Gullah and West African cultures.

Family And Personal Life

• His parents were Benjamin and Evelyn Daise, who were both Gullah natives and descendants of enslaved Africans.
• His father, Benjamin, was a farmer, carpenter, and deacon, who died in 1997. His mother, Evelyn, was a homemaker, seamstress, and church leader, who died in 2018.
• His siblings are Benjamin Jr., James, Joseph, Samuel, David, Ruth, Naomi, and Esther. They all grew up on St. Helena Island, where they learned to speak Gullah and to appreciate their cultural heritage.
• Ron married Natalie Daise, a native of Rochester, New York, in 1985. They have two children, Sara and Simeon, who also appeared on their show Gullah Gullah Island.
• Ron and Natalie currently live in Pawleys Island, South Carolina, where they work as artists, educators, and performers.

Net Worth

According to some sources, Ron Daise’s net worth is estimated to be around $1.4 million. He has earned his wealth from his various roles as a singer, actor, author, educator, and cultural performer. He has also received several awards and honors for his work, such as the South Carolina 2019 Governor’s Award and the Fulbright-Hays fellowship. He is currently the vice president for creative education at Brookgreen Gardens and also runs a home bakery business called Mr. Ron’s Gullahlicious Pound Cakes

Ron Daise is a remarkable person who has used his talents and voice to celebrate and share his Gullah heritage with the world. He is a source of inspiration and pride for his community and a bridge of understanding and appreciation for others. He is a true voice for Gullah culture.