"When I think about Juneteenth, I think about perseverance, the perseverance of our ancestors... and their steadfast persistence against any and all obstacles.
I'm reminded that the perseverance we celebrate on Juneteenth didn't end with them. Much like those who were left behind after emancipation, our history is punctuated with moments of tremendous achievement, proceeded by a fresh injustice or reimagined forms oppression.
For me personally, when I think about perseverance and honoring those legacies, I think about the legacy of my own grandparents, and the three important values they instilled in me:
1: If you say you're going to do something, if you make a commitment, then you must honor it.
2: If you live in a community, you have a responsibility to be of service to that community.
3: Finally, if you see someone in need, if you see someone suffering, then you have a responsibility to help them.
They were the embodiment of everything that makes Juneteenth worth celebrating. For me it means honoring the legacy of those who refused to be left behind, and persevering in honor of their lives...."
[Full Juneteenth day celebration remarks HERE]
This past Saturday I was honored to be a part of multiple Juneteenth Day celebrations in our county. I started off the day joined by my colleagues on the Board at the dedication of the historical marker honoring Ona Judge, a former slave of George Washington that escaped to freedom in 1796.
Here in Lee, our friends at United Community hosted a cookout and a community day honoring the holiday at Colchester Towne.
The Gum Springs Historical Society also hosted an impressive and well attended celebration in Mount Vernon that brought together community members, county agencies, public safety personnel and more in celebration of this years Freedom Day.
In addition below is the full recording of the first ever Juneteenth Resiliency Awards event that took place on June 2, 2021 and aired on Juneteenth. The award celebrated those who demonstrate courage, resilience and perseverance while remaining dedicated to their dreams and/or service to others in the Black community.
For those interested, my interview segment with the host Tilly Blanding begins at minute 5:35.
I hope all of you enjoyed while celebrating and learning more about this important holiday. If you're interested, please find additional resources about Juneteenth HERE.
