Posthumously, Josephine Wright has successfully secured ownership of her land.
As AFROTECH™ previously told you, Wright encountered a legal challenge concerning a 1.8-acre plot of land situated on Hilton Head Island, SC, which had been in her family’s possession for over 30 years. Wright presumed ownership in 2012 following the passing of her husband.
Per a 2023 lawsuit, Wright was being sued by the Bailey Point Investment Group for encroachment on its land next door where it was planning to build 147 homes. The group had offered $30,000 to Wright to buy her land to include in the project.
However, Wright showed no interest in selling her property and maintained this stance despite alleged tactics employed by the investment group including “intimidation, harassment, [and] trespass,” Wright’s lawyers said.
“My porch is not on their property,” Wright told CNN at the time.
Wright’s story attracted the attention of Snoop Dogg and Kyrie Irving, who collectively donated $50,000 toward Wright’s GoFundMe, which was created to support the costs of attorneys, property tax, and a fence to separate her property from the development.
In the midst of Wright’s battle, a tree had fallen onto her home, prompting Tyler Perry, who had been in contact with Wright and her family, to build a new home on the land.
However, Wright passed away on Jan. 7, 2024, at 94 years old, CNN reports. She is survived by four children, 40 grandchildren and dozens of great- and great-great-grandchildren, The Guardian reports.
After her passing, Perry handed the keys of her new home on the property to the family.
“Your 4 children, 40 grandchildren, 50 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren will still be able to gather at YOUR house on YOUR land and tell the world what kind of fighter that you were. You have run your race and fought an incredible fight! Journey well my dear lady. You have inspired me,” Perry shared on Instagram.
Furthermore, Wright’s family has now been given further closure as Wright’s fight has led to victory. The Guardian reports the family has won a settlement with the investor group and will inherit Wright’s land. They will also help other families who face similar struggles through the Josephine Wright Foundation.
“The family is grateful to have settled. They’re focused on keeping the legacy of Mrs. Josephine Wright alive,” Altimese Nichole, a family spokesperson, shared with South Carolina Public Radio, according to Capital B News.