A show that celebrated the rich culture and history of the Gullah Geechee people of South Carolina, Gullah Gullah Island had a profound impact on the learning landscape of preschool television.
Natural creatives and members of their local theater scene, Natalie and Ron Daise knew what children needed to thrive. They saw what play and songs could do for childhood development. Seeing an opportunity, they turned their creativity into a show that altered the children's television landscape.
Up to that point, Nick Jr.'s block consisted mainly of puppets or cartoons, and none of them focused on what it was like to be a Black family in America.
At its height, Gullah Gullah Island brought in 7 million viewers a day and, with those views, plenty of money to Nickelodeon. The show displayed the beauty and richness of Black culture while also teaching the history of the Gullah Geechee people through the stories and songs of Binyah Binyah Pollywog.
The Daise family saw an opportunity to educate children about Black culture and history and made it a reality. All it took was a spark and the drive, and they altered the landscape of children's television. We can do the same today.