“We want all Savannahians to feel at home here no matter who they love, how they identify or how they express themselves.”
Van Johnson, Mayor, City of Savannah
Ever since its founding in 1733 by General James Edward Oglethorpe, Savannah has been a place that has attracted people from across the globe, who seek opportunity. Savannah has welcomed a diverse population from its establishment as a port community. Initially conceived of as a haven for poor who were ostracized from England, the community also held an innovative vision for religious tolerance. Five months after its founding, Savannah saw the Colonies’ first sizable Jewish community established, developing the Congregation Mickve Israel.
As commerce continued to introduce people to Savannah, the community would continue to welcome immigrants, cultures, and trade from around the world.
Whether for business, academics, civil service, or love of nature, art, or culture, Savannah has always been a desired destination. This international influence is seen today through the numerous cultures and nationalities represented in locally hosted celebrations and festivals across the community. Aside from the Irish festival for St. Patrick’s Day, we are home to Greek, German, South Asian, Scottish, West African, French, Indian, and Latinx populations who each add texture and vibrancy to the cultural fabric of Savannah.
Savannah continues to be a destination, whether people are attracted to a fast-growing international port, a renowned military installation, numerous global employers such as Mitsubishi Power Systems, JCB Americas, BSAF, Rolls-Royce, DIRTT or others, or one of our universities who see diverse populations among their students and faculty. In fact, the Savannah College of Art and Design, anchored in historic downtown Savannah, has over 12,000 students and faculty who represent all 50 states and more than 80 countries.
And in 2011, World Trade Center Savannah was created to help businesses grow internationally and to help international businesses locate in the Savannah region and have welcomed thousands of foreign dignitaries over the past nine years.
We have a penchant for hospitality and that means we meet with open arms, any and all who want to make Savannah home!
From celebrating the freed people who share with us their Gullah and Geechee Cultures, to welcoming refugees fleeing modern conflicts, Savannah embraces the various experiences that led its residents here. Savannah is not only diverse, but our community is also inclusive. We honor and preserve our past, while working to build a unified future.
Savannah PRIDE
Savannah is home to Georgia’s Oldest LGBTQ organization and the state’s first ever Pride celebration and remains a progressive community, welcoming to all. Most recently, Mayor Van Johnson created the Savannah Proud Task Force led by Kurtis Purtee, Savannah’s first openly gay city council member.
An openness to what is different and an acceptance of people for their humanity are two of the many things that makes Savannah such a special place. Today, Savannah is home to a thriving LGBT population with plenty of LGBT-owned and LGBT-friendly businesses throughout Savannah’s Historic District. In 1994, the then-mayor of Savannah, Susan Weiner, declared the city an accepting place for gays and lesbians to live and visit as part of “Human Rights Pride Week.” This was very progressive in relation to other cities of relative equal size at the time.
The city is swimming in LGBT history and proudly promotes the contributions of its famous LGBT residents to the fabric and lore of Savannah.
The city is also home to an LGBT Center which has grown for more than 30 years from gatherings in local LGBT citizens homes to meeting in churches to a full-on community center today. The center provides a place for Savannah’s LGBT residents to gather, youth programs, health services, advocacy and more. All of these things combined paint a rich history of LGBT acceptance and support within the city and makes it a great place for LGBT travelers to visit. Savannah is a charming LGBT oasis welcoming all with open arms regardless of identity. Its long history, including LGBT history, is just waiting for you to explore it.
Pin Point Heritage Museum – This museum tells the cultural story of a vibrant Gullah/Geechee community founded in 1890 by freed slaves, many from Ossabaw & Skidaway Islands.
Historic First African Baptist Church – Savannah’s First African Baptist Church (FABC) was organized in 1773 , making it older than the United States (1776).
Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum - Dr. Gilbert, who died in 1956, was the father of the civil rights movement in Savannah. In 1996, the Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum opened and includes photographic and interactive exhibits, including an NAACP exhibit.
Civil & Human Rights
- Racial Equity and Leadership (REAL)
- Savannah Citizens Accountability and Review of Emergency Services (Savannah CARES)
- Savannah PROUD
- Savannah First City Networkv
- Savannah Pride
- EmployAbility
- Progressive Abilities Support Services
- Citizen’s Advocacy
- LowCountry Down Syndrome Society
- Inspiritus
- Greater Savannah Black Chamber of Commerce
- Metropolitan Savannah Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
- Coastal Georgia Minority Chamber
- OUT Georgia Business Alliance
- Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
- Latin American Chamber of Commerce of Georgia
- Georgia Greater Black Chamber of Commerce
- Georgia Indo-American Chamber of Commerce
