A fundraiser to help a 93-year-old Black South Carolina woman keep her property and land has been hugely successful, according to reports on Thursday, Oct. 12.
Josephine Wright was reportedly being harassed by developers to sell the property in Hilton Head that has been in her family for generations, dating back to just after the Civil War.
The goal of the fundraiser was $350,000, but that has been exceeded, according to Atlanta Black Star.
The Georgia-based Bailey Investment Group approached Wright earlier this year to try to entice her to sell it to be used for a 147-unit residential development being built on land adjacent to hers, but she refused the offer.
Months later, the group sued her, claiming that a satellite dish, screened-in porch and shed encroached on the group’s property, hindering construction progress.
Wright didn’t back down, though. She filed a counterclaim against them, alleging intimidation and harassment, and has been battling the group ever since. Local news reports over this woman’s efforts to fight off the group made national headlines and drew the attention of some high-profile figures.
After Wright’s granddaughter started a fundraiser to help pay for Wright’s legal expenses, Black celebrities like Kyrie Irving, Tyler Perry and singer Fantasia answered the call and either pitched in tens of thousands of dollars or spread the word to generate more awareness.
Thanks to their efforts, the fundraiser exceeded its goal and is now up to more than $362,000 in donations. Irving’s donation was the first to draw eyes. The Dallas Mavericks guard gave $40,000, one of the largest donations Wright’s family has received.
Actor and filmmaking giant Perry shared a news story about Wright’s battle, posting that the 93-year-old “has a village behind her.”
That post made waves online and inspired other big-name celebs like Fantasia, Snoop Dogg, Gabrielle Dennis, former Food Network star Gina Neely, gospel singer Tina Campbell, and rapper Meek Mill to join the fight.
So, what’s next in this legal battle? Well, neither the Bailey Group nor Wright has dropped their suits, and Hilton Head city officials will not issue the developer any building permits until the lawsuits reach their conclusion. Construction has also mostly come to a halt. Bailey Group representatives reportedly have told city officials they plan to make a settlement offer, but the family has received no such offer just yet.
Last month, a tree fell on Wright’s home. Thankfully, no one was hurt, but her home did sustain two holes in its roof as a result.
