Preserving Black History: Developers Clash with Families over Property

Developers targeting land owned by descendants of enslaved people in South Carolina are threatening the property and history of historic settlement communities. Rising property taxes and assessments, along with the exploitation of heirs' property, are making it difficult for Black landowners to maintain their ancestral land. State reforms have provided some protection, but the threat of gentrification and the loss of family legacies remain. Efforts are being made to preserve African American property and provide tax incentives for historic communities. The struggle to protect land and maintain ownership is becoming increasingly challenging, with costly legal battles and the encroachment of commercial enterprises.