Tyler Perry helps Hilton Head Gullah family build brand new home amid controversial developer lawsuit
In five short months, a Hilton Head Gullah family has gone from fearing their long-time family land would be lost forever — like so many other Gullah landowners over the years — to having a brand new home built for future generations to inherit.
When 93-year-old islander Josephine Wright was sued by Georgia-based developer Bailey Point Investment, LLC in February, she and her family feared the lawsuit was a financial bullying tactic. Wright said she believes Bailey Point, which is constructing a neighborhood on Jonesville Road that completely envelopes Wright’s property, wants to add her parcel to their holdings.
Bailey Point Investment and its attorneys have declined comment throughout the lawsuit process.
Wright suspects the company hoped litigation would put enough financial strain on the family to force them into the sale she’s refused multiple times. Jonesville Road neighbors rallied around the Wright family to offer financial support for attorney’s fees and other costs, but the story went viral after Wright shared her story with The Island Packet in May.
Now, the family has raised over $360,000 through an active GoFundMe — and star filmmaker Tyler Perry has promised to fund a brand new home for the family.
TMZ first reported Perry plans to build the Wright family a 5-bedroom home, which Charise Graves, Wright’s granddaughter, confirmed to The Packet.
“We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to Tyler Perry for his generous contribution towards helping Grandma Josephine build her new home,” the family wrote in a GoFundMe update. “Tyler Perry’s friendship has made a significant difference in Grandma’s life, and we are truly thankful for his kindness and generosity.”
Perry first pledged support for Wright’s fight in June, and is one of several celebrities to contribute financially. Rap legend Snoop Dogg and NBA star Kyrie Irving have also donated to the family’s GoFundMe account.
The Town of Hilton Head Island has stated construction on the Bailey Point project cannot continue until the lawsuit is settled.
This story was originally published October 18, 2023 at 9:05 AM.
