Marlena Smalls
Bubba’s Mama From Forrest Gump
story by NAKEISHA DAWSON-THOMPSON photos by SUSAN DELOACH
Dr. Marlena Smalls moved to Beaufort, SC, in 1982. While working for the City of Beaufort as the Arts Coordinator, she founded the first Gullah Festival. During this time, she found herself, and her eyes were opened to the culture of her heritage—Gullah. Dr. Smalls’ mother and grandmother were born in Anderson County, SC. In 1990, she founded The Hallelujah Singers and is internationally known for her soul-stirring Gullah performances that have touched many rooms and theaters. The Hallelujah Singers was founded with the sole purpose of preserving the songs and folklore that are exclusive to the South Carolina Sea Islands. The West African ancestry that has influenced Gullah culture today is celebrated, inspired, and preserved by The Hallelujah Singers through their entertaining performances.
Dr. Smalls comes from a family of musicians. Her mother instilled music in her as a young child. Growing up in Alabama, she recalls her grandmother having a duplex with a connecting bar. On Sundays, folks from around town came into the bar to play and sing the blues. Her mother has always been a great influence on her. The two formed a school of music that ultimately taught 195 students. That upbringing and her continued exposure to music and theater allowed her to become the musical inspiration she is today.
Dr. Smalls is a profound singer of gospel, modern, jazz, and blues, in addition to religious music. She was inducted into the South Carolina Black Hall of Fame in 2004. She has entertained numerous American and foreign guests, including the Queen of England. She has also collaborated with Academy Award winners Glenn Close, Demi Moore, Tom Hanks, and film producer Joel Silver. She has starred in numerous shows for PBS, SCETV, and GPTC, and she is well-known to viewers worldwide as Bubba’s mother in the Academy Award–winning film Forrest Gump. Dr. Smalls highlights how that performance piqued an interest in how movies are made and the many pieces that must fit together behind the scenes to create a successful film.
Dr. Smalls continues to inspire and shape the minds of our youth, by teaching music during summer school, where she currently resides. She looks forward to assisting with the production of upcoming shows, working with the Smithsonian, and creating a music book.
Dr. Marlena Smalls will be performing at the opening night concert of the 18th Annual Beaufort International Film Festival (BIFF) on February 20, 2024, with The Hallelujah Singers and Tabernacle Baptist Church choir, who she enjoys singing with. According to Dr. Smalls, the BIFF will debut a documentary on Forrest Gump to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the motion picture. Dr. Smalls played the role of Bubba’s mama in the film. She will continue bringing the Gullah culture mixed with blues to the Lowcountry stage again. She is excited to be able to share and teach through music and theater, as it’s been so deeply instilled in her many years ago.
“I am music, and music is me! I love the blues (Delta and Rhythm blues).” According to Dr. Smalls, “The blues doesn’t have to have a melodious voice; all you need is a song in your heart. Blues is a story of the heart, whether it’s hurt, love, or fun, but mostly passion!”
Dr. Smalls exclaims, “Music is my life. It has allowed me to share why we, as African Americans, do the things we do through music by the way of Gullah.” As the culture continues to grow and change, Dr. Smalls will continue to grow and provide cultural teachings to help ensure the Gullah culture isn’t lost in future generations.
