Juneteenth in the African American Cultural Garden
Juneteenth 2017 African American Cultural Garden in Cleveland June 17, 2017
The annual Juneteenth celebration was held in the African American Cultural Garden in Cleveland on June 17, 2017.
During the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on September 22, 1862, with an effective date of January 1, 1863. But in 1865, there were still an estimated 250,000 slaves in Texas. News of end of the war moved slowly and did not reach Texas until May 1865, and the Army of the Trans-Mississippi did not surrender until June 2.
On June 18, 1865, Union General Gordon Granger arrived at Galveston Island with 2,000 federal troops to occupy Texas on behalf of the federal government. On June 19, standing on the balcony of Galveston's Ashton Villa, Granger read aloud the contents of "General Order No. 3", announcing the total emancipation of slaves.
Juneteenth, also known as Juneteenth Independence Day or Freedom Day, is a holiday that commemorates the June 19, 1865 announcement of the abolition of slavery in Texas, and more generally the emancipation of African-American slaves throughout the Confederate South.
The Cleveland Juneteenth event was held in the African American Cultural Garden. Carl Ewing, President of the African American Cultural Garden Federation, introduced Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson to begin the celebration of Juneteenth in Cleveland.
NOTE: All the images below with a white arrow in the middle are videos. (The other images are just photos) You can click on the white arrow to watch the video of whatever is described. Make sure your speakers are on and you can make the video full screen once it begins by clicking the icon in the lower right corner.
Mayor Frank Jackson
Reverend Hilton Smith of The Greater Abyssinia Baptist Church gave the invocation.
Reverend Hilton Smith
Kwanza Brewer led a libation ceremony.
Kwanza Brewer
Carl Ewing led off the singing of Lift Every Voice and Sing.
Dr. Eugene Jordan of the African American Cultural Garden Federation led the Libation Litany.
Dr. Eugene Jordan
***
Stay informed about the local African-American community by signing up for the free African-American eNews mailings. You can select other specific groups as well. It's easy and free. Fill out the form for the free African-American eNews.
*** Ohio-Black Shield Police Association President Lynn Hampton introduced Professor James Small of Hidden Colors at a celebration of Juneteenth in the African American Cultural Garden in Cleveland. Professor Small told why we celebrate Juneteenth.
Lynn Hampton
Professor James Small
3 ladies from the Cleveland Association of Black Storytellers told the story of Juneteenth from the perspective of slaves and others involved.
Cleveland Association of Black Storytellers
Cleveland Councilmen Jeff Johnson and Kevin Conwell both spoke. Councilman Conwell's band Footprints also performed throughout the event.
Want to learn about ethnic and cultural events in Cleveland such as this? Sign up for the free eNews and every Tuesday evening you will receive a free e-mail listing the next week's events. It's easy and free.
