Juneteenth marks the official end of slavery in America on June 19, 1865. Today, the holiday focuses on Black achievements and culture, recognition of inequality and systemic racism in the United States, and the ongoing fight for equal rights. 2021 brings an expanded list of ways to celebrate Black freedom and to reckon with the racial past and present of the United States.
Juneteenth, short for June 19th, commemorates the end of slavery in the United States.
It commemorates the day in 1865 when news that slavery had been abolished reached Galveston, Texas, two years after Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. In celebration, former slaves celebrated by feasting, singing, praying and dancing.
Here are several celebrations to enjoy. If you know of a celebration not listed here, please contact Shaniquah Gabon, sgabon@th-record.com:
Harambee Kingston’s Juneteenth Celebration
Harambee Kingston, a coalition that provides education on African American history and culture, presents their annual Juneteenth celebration, to be held at the Pine Street African Burial Ground, 157 Pine St., Kingston, on June 19 from noon to 4 p.m. There will be children’s activities, burial ground tours, commemorations, performances, great food and more. For details, check out Facebook.
By Dominic McKenzie Kingston
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There’s some special work happening at a special location in Kingston.
Gil Verrelli calls the city home. They graduated from a program coordinated by local group Citizens for Local Power, training locals for jobs in green energy.
What You Need To Know
Gil Verrelli is a graduate of the Citizens for Local Power Green Jobs apprenticeship program in Kingston
They re working on renovating an old house on the Pine Street African Burial Ground and turning it into a community center Growing up, my dad was a hobby wood worker. What I really want to be is a carpenter, they said.
Studio Prize: An Archaeology of the Future: The Pine Street African Burial Ground architectmagazine.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from architectmagazine.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.