By Shawn Nowlin
Regardless of one’s ethnicity or background, exploring the historical significance of Juneteenth and how it became a federal holiday is something that everyone can do.
Known also as “Emancipation Day” or “Freedom Day,” Juneteenth Independence Day commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. One hundred and 58 years ago, Major General Gordon Granger ordered and proclaimed freedom for Black people in Galveston, Texas. African Americans have celebrated Juneteenth, which combines June and nineteenth, ever since.
Last Saturday, the Roanoke Culture Collective partnered with SCLC to host the Juneteenth Family Reunion at Eureka Park. Longtime attendees and organizers agree that the yearly gathering encapsulates what fun in the Black community looks like, and June 17 was no different. From noon to 5 p.m., dance, music, history, and food all took center stage. A community mural was also included in the festivities which was emceed by Amanda Spivey.
Attendees were encouraged to bring their own seating and picnic blankets. Owners of several Black-owned businesses, such as Charlee’s Tropical Ice and Tropical Drinks, said the event allowed them to build a better rapport with the community at large. “Needless to say, this event is huge for us. “We love coming here every single year because we get to connect with the people,” Antwan Llamas said.
Upwards of 1,000 individuals attended this year’s event, including Artist in Residence Robyn Mitchell. It’s the all-encompassing Black culture and community unity that makes the Juneteenth Family Reunion one of Mitchell’s favorite Star City annual events.
During the turnout, members of the Roanoke County Sheriff’s Office gave out free food and engaged with the youth through various games. Explosion Athletics, John Word Productions, Angels of Zion, and Custom Vibes were just some of the local organizations that performed. When the music started blasting through the speakers, something came over Diamond Carter and she broke out some dance moves she learned from her father growing up.
“Long before any high school teacher broached the topic, I knew all about Juneteenth. My family made sure of it. I was taught to never be ashamed of my culture, and I’ve passed that along to my two daughters. Despite people looking at us while we danced, I made sure that they lived in the moment,” Carter said.
Forty-three years ago, Texas was the first state to designate Juneteenth as a holiday. After President Biden signed the legislation in 2021, it became a federal holiday.
Jodeci Bradshaw loves being Black every second of every minute, but during Juneteenth, her pride reaches another level. Bradshaw says she arrived with just an empty bag and camera disk but left with clothing, food, countless pictures, and entrepreneur business cards.
“Gatherings like this do not happen every day, so I wanted to take advantage of everything. I asked some of my co-workers, who are all non-Black if they would attend the event with me, and they did. Afterward, we were able to engage in an honest dialogue because there’s so much they don’t know about Black people,” Bradshaw said, adding, “Critical conversations about our nation’s history must continue to happen if we are ever going to reach the ultimate destination.”
All signs point to Juneteenth Family Reunion returning to Eureka Park next year.
