Vogue Magazine — Written by Ariel Felton, Photographs by Carlos Jaramillo

With a name derived from the Lakota tribe’s historical Tokala Society—a group of warriors who showed bravery and leadership from a young age—Tokala is a photography series spotlighting the next generation of BIPOC climate activists.

The residents of Hog Hammock, a small community on Sapelo Island, have been weathering storms for centuries. They can tell when a tempest is brewing.

By the time Tropical Storm Irma arrived in September 2017, bringing with it wind gusts of 50 to 65 miles per hour, the 50 or so Hog Hammock residents had all ferried to safety, the only way on or off the island. Upon returning to Sapelo, they found their homes, churches, and even the general store severely damaged or destroyed.

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When he learned about the damage caused by Tropical Storm Irma, Weeks applied for a Community Fund Grant from the Bonner Scholars Program and was awarded the funds to take several students to Sapelo Island to help clear debris. One of those students was Jennifer Thompson, another Atlanta native who was studying physical health and Africana studies. Ironically, Thompson and Weeks had grown up on the same street, Cascade, in Atlanta but didn’t meet until attending Davidson College. 

“[Sapelo Island] reminded me of the first time I visited my grandfather in Eleuthera, Bahamas,” said Thompson. “Long dirt roads and no street lights, just stars and the sounds of nature. I loved the surprise of being forced away from my electronics due to lack of Wi-Fi. My first experience on Sapelo was rejuvenating.” Together, they helped remove debris from the First African Baptist Church and the Farmers Alliance Hall, preparing Hog Hammock for the annual Culture Day Festival. The event attracts 200 visitors to the island to experience Gullah Geechee foods, music, and crafts, as well as tours of the island.

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