“Freedom Celebration”
Encourages Honor and Healing
On June 20 and 21, the Elegba Folklore Society will present “Juneteenth, A Freedom Celebration.” The event will take place over two days in Downtown Richmond, and will feature activities for all ages. This year’s activities were carefully planned to honor Africans who were enslaved during the years 1619 and 1865, and to examine the impact of their trade while looking toward a future of positive change.
Two Days in June
Juneteenth marks the day that General Gordon Granger sent word throughout the port city of Galveston, Texas that all slaves were freed. The day was June 19, 1865, and although the Emancipation Proclamation under Lincoln had mandated freedom almost three years earlier, there weren’t enough Union troops to enforce the order until Granger and his regiment arrived. To the more than 250,000 slaves who had continued to live and die in bondage, it might have seemed that liberty arrived on Granger’s sails.
Succeeding generations have kept “Juneteenth” alive as an annual day of remembrance, celebration, and homage to their ancestors. In 1980, the state of Texas made Juneteenth an official state holiday, the first state to do so. Their action was thanks to a bill pushed by Al Edwards, state legislator and civil rights leader. Juneteenth is considered the first African American holiday, as well as the first holiday honoring an event associated with Emancipation. Today it’s celebrated in cities and homes nationally as a day for celebration, reflection, prayer, and recognition of the history we share.
Music, Change, and Choice
Friday, June 20, Greater Richmond Convention Center,
Exhibit Hall D, 300 N. 5th St
7 PM, Fashion Show featuring day and evening urban wear
8 PM, “Social Change, Hip-Hop and Election 2008,” Panel discussion and Q&A
9 PM, African dance and music performances by Elegba Folklore Society
9:45 PM, Hip Hop duo and Columbia Records recording artists, Dead Prez
Where They Walked
Saturday, June 21, Manchester Dock. Events begin 2 PM
South of the James River at the end of Maury Street is Manchester Dock, which served as the port of entry for Africans brought into Richmond to be sold as slaves. Today it is a symbol to Richmond residents and all Americans of the human trade that happened here.
As part of “Freedom Celebration 2008,” Kadiatou Conte of Guinea, West Africa, will teach an African dance class. “The Freedom Market” will offer food, art, and imported goods. Children’s events will educate and entertain. The day will culminate in a torch-lit walk, and finally, a healing ceremony.
3 PM, Native American Opening Ceremonies followed by African dance class with Master Dancer, Kadiatou Conte
6 PM, The Honorable Delores McQuinn, Chairwoman of Richmond Slave Trail Commission and Ana Edwards, Sacred Ground Project will speak.
7 PM, “In Our Ancestors’ Footsteps.” Annual Torch-Lit Walk on the Trail of Enslaved Africans, led by Elegba Folklore Society. Event organizers encourage you to wear comfortable shoes and bring a bottle of water. Shuttle buses available after the walk.
11 PM, “Healing the City” ceremony at the Burial Ground for Negroes, 16th and Broad Sts. Rain or shine.
Admission: Friday, $10 in advance, $15 at the door
Saturday’s Events, free. Dance class, $10
For more information, contact Elegba Folklore Society at 644.3900 or visit www.EFSINC.org.
The Richmond Slave Trail Commission endorses “Juneteenth, A Freedom Celebration.” Sponsored by City of Richmond, Power 92.1, Praise 104.7, and Kiss FM. Virginia Commission for the Arts provides partial support along with Arts & Cultural Funding Consortium.
