It is with heavy hearts that the Gullah Traveling Theater, Inc. (GTTI) family shares the passing of our beloved Board of Directors Consultant, Dr. José A. Rivera. Dr. Rivera transitioned peacefully on April 10, 2025, following hospitalization from a heart attack earlier in the week. He was 77 years old.

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Our journey with Dr. Rivera began in 2012, after he met Anita Singleton Prather and experienced the life-giving storytelling of the Gullah Kinfolk. Deeply moved by the cultural power and historical significance of the work, it was Dr. Rivera who first recommended formalizing the vision. He went on to incorporate the Gullah Kinfolk as Gullah Traveling Theater, Inc., and secured our nonprofit status—laying a strong and lasting foundation for the organization’s future.

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From that moment forward, Dr. Rivera became more than a consultant. He fell in love with the Gullah mission and community, and he gave generously of his time, talent, and resources to ensure we not only survived but flourished. During seasons of uncertainty, his steady leadership, sharp insight, and deep compassion helped guide us to the next level.

Dr. Rivera was the President & CEO of Rivera, Sierra, & Company, Inc., and a lifelong advocate for justice, healing, and cultural equity. His remarkable career spanned civil rights law, nonprofit management, education, and arts advocacy. From serving as a founding attorney for the Puerto Rican Legal Defense Fund to a presidential appointee at the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, his work helped reshape institutions and empower underrepresented voices nationwide.

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But to us, he was more than his résumé. He was a trusted advisor, a joyful spirit, and a beloved friend. His legacy lives on in the stories we tell, the stages we build, and the communities we uplift.

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Rest well, Dr. Rivera. Your vision, service, and love have made a permanent mark on our hearts and on the future of Gullah storytelling.

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With love and deep gratitude,
Anita Singleton Prather, the Gullah Traveling Theater Family and, our Board of Directors