The Rev. Lewis W. Macklin
Juneteenth is now a federal holiday that has been long celebrated on June 19 to commemorate the emancipation of enslaved people in America.
The holiday was first recognized in Galveston Texas, where on that date in 1865, in the aftermath of the Civil War, enslaved people received the notification that they were declared free under the terms of the 1862 Emancipation Proclamation.
While we celebrate and commemorate, let’s commit to educate and enlighten ourselves as to the importance of this new national holiday. On the occasion of Juneteenth, please enjoy the Hairspray’s rendition “I Know Where I ve Been” performed by Cliffe College of Creative Arts & DANA School of Music at Youngstown State University’s Jaron LeGrair and Voices of YSU accompanied by Jack Ciarniello.