A fellowship of freedom: Juneteenth events to celebrate and cocmmemorate local history
Two organizations in Lexington will be holding celebrations in honor of Juneteenth, which is a day of remembrance of the Emancipation Proclamation.
June 19, 1865 was the day federal troops freed the last enslaved people in Texas, two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation.
Since then, communities have come together on that day to not only to honor the end to slavery in the United States but to also celebrate the contributions of African Americans in the country. It was recognized as a federal holiday in 2021.
Anything for Our Youth is partnering with Arts Davidson County and the Black Butterfly Network to hold its 6th Annual Juneteenth Freedom celebration from 12 to 5 p.m. at Arts 202 located at 101 N. Main Street in Lexington.
The event will feature live performances, food and beverages, a youth DJ showcase and a marketplace highlighting Black-owned businesses and artists. There will also be a Freedom Mural Project where the community is invited to participate in painting a part of the mural.
“For six years, we’ve come together to honor history, culture, and community through festivities, arts, food, and more,” said Tina Royal, founder of Anything for Our Youth. “We invite everyone to join us for this years’ celebration.”
Following the Juneteenth Freedom celebration, the community is invited to walk from Arts 202 to the city cemetery to participate in a dedication ceremony for a new memorial, according to Royal.
There will be a dedication ceremony for a new memorial for former slaves buried at the Lexington City Cemetery on North State Street at 6 p.m.
Several years ago, local activist Tyronne Terry discovered a stone marker in the cemetery which states “In this large vacant space before the Civil War, Negro slaves were buried by their masters”. In 2020, St. Stephens UMC started holding a commemoration service at the marker in February.
In 2023, the City of Lexington undertook an archeological survey using ground penetrating sonar to investigate graves located near the stone marker. The survey concluded there were at least 32 former slaves located in the area.
As a result, funds were raised by members of Grace Episcopal Church and other community members to erect 32 markers with a cross and a granite marker with the inscription, “These are they...” taken from Revelation 7:14.
“The closure is something that is hard to describe,” said Terry. “It has been a big job, but I wasn’t going to give up on it. I was going to make sure that there would be a celebration in the end, a celebration of our ancestors who can now be properly laid to rest.”
