Durham celebrates freedom and unity
Last year, I learned about a cool celebration often cited as the African American Independence Day in
Durham. I was working in public relations and a client of mine sponsored the big event. It’s a big deal. Each year, tons of people gather in NC to honor the day slaves were freed.
Juneteenth originates from Galveston, Texas, where on June 19th, 1865, the word of the Emancipation Proclamation reached the enslaved.
North Carolina will soon become the 26th state to recognize Juneteenth as a state holiday or a state holiday observance.
The 4th Annual Durham Juneteenth Celebration & Unity March to be held on Saturday, June 14, 2008 on Fayetteville Street at Hayti
Heritage
Center from 12:00pm to 6:00 pm. This educational and uplifting day begins with a march at 11:00 am, led by Honorary Chair North Carolina Central University (NCCU) Chancellor Charlie Nelms, from NCCU to Hayti with men marching with children. Shuttle buses will run from “Hayti to NCCU” to transport marchers from 9:00 am to 11:00 am. When the processional ends at Hayti
Heritage
Center, after the Opening Ceremony, the 4th Annual Durham Juneteenth Celebration will start with an Opening Ceremony that includes an appearance by 2008 Miss Black NC USA Audrey Cox.
Entertainment throughout the day will feature the 1st Lady of Neo-Soul Gospel, Cynthia Jones and Blues icon Bobby Hinton, both performing with their full bands. Other performers include rising 9th grade spoken word artist Jakayla Hart, gospel singers Johnnie Foster and Minister James Spears and 12-year-old singing sensation Nichole Rogers. Project Safe Neighborhood will conduct seminars on gang awareness and gang resistance. Vendors will sell African and African-American clothing, art and artifacts, specialty items, crafts and delicious foods. The Health Fair will include blood pressure, diabetes, body mass index and HIV screenings. The Children’s Village will have concession games, prizes and other fun, educational activities including UNC’s Destiny Bus, the Durham Police substation, Kid’s ID, McGruff and more.
I’m embarrassed to admit that I had never heard of the celebration before participating in it last year, but have since heard a lot of mention of it since Senator Obama has been leading the charge to make the yearly celebration a national holiday as part of his campaign this year. Since taking office in 2000, President George W. Bush has been urged by Congress to recognize Juneteenth Independence Day by issuing a special Presidential Proclamation.
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Thank you for that information. Never knew, now I do!