SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — A tribute to freedom and liberty on Juneteenth at City Springs drew thousands to celebrate and learn.
More than two-and-a-half years after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas, and announced enslaved Black people were free.
Juneteenth, made a federal holiday in 2021, celebrates the end of chattel slavery in the United States when all Americans were finally freed June 19, 1865.
The City Springs celebration, sponsored by the cities of Sandy Springs and Dunwoody, brought together the Perimeter area on both sides of Ga. 400 for a whirlwind of performances, educating and fun.
The day’s festivities flowed across the City Green and into the Byers Theatre lobby, where high schoolers from Dunwoody, Sandy Springs and Douglas County discussed their works in an immersive art exhibition.
PeQue Brown, founder of LIQUID Arts studios, worked with local high school artists to create canvas pieces representing what freedom means to them. PeQue’s wife, Kelli Brown, said it’s all about youth artists and supporting the next generation.
The pieces incorporate augmented reality, allowing guests to engage with innovative, live-action displays, called the STEAM Art Gallery.
Jade E’lon, rising 10th grader in the arts program at North Springs High School, said she thought about being at home with loved ones while creating her piece, “Dreamers.” Her goal, she said, was to showcase Black joy, while also incorporating symbols of African heritage.
Madison Ozane, a rising junior in the Douglas County School System, said freedom means the ability to express oneself. She said speaking with hundreds of patrons outside the Byers Theatre helps her get out of her shell.
Jagger Austin, rising 11th grader at North Springs High School, talks about his piece, “The Path to Freedom,” during Juneteenth at City Springs.
Before a packed crowd of more than 1,000 at the Byers Theatre, Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty kicked off the program introducing Namari Dance Center and Production’s “From Africa to America.”
“It’s a real privilege to be here and be a part of this great ceremony,” Paul said.
By the time the mayor walked off stage and “Mary Don’t You Weep” began playing, only standing room remained.
Antwan Sessions and Shervoski Moreland, co-owners of Namari Dance Center & Productions, produced and directed “From America to Africa,” the theatrical production highlighting the event.
The stage program included dance from Namari and Douglas County students, spoken word from the pastor of Pleasant Hill Church in Roswell and song from the Lynwood Park Community Choir.
The performances weaved through different themes and emotions associated with Juneteenth, including joy and grief.
References to “the brothers that chose the sea,” on trips across the Atlantic Ocean quieted the crowd, while “amens” rang out during unifying speeches from local leaders.
Students from Namari Dance Center open “From Africa to America” June 19 at City Springs with a dance number to “Mary Don’t You Weep.”
Councilwoman Melody Kelley led the Juneteenth Planning Committee on an eight-month effort to put together the city’s newest signature event.
“We were very intentional from the beginning with defining who the most important stakeholders are,” she said. “That’s what is was, eight months of relationship building to get us to this point.”
Kelley, already thinking about next year’s event, said she received an email from a resident suggesting day-time activities for young children.
“That’s what expansion looks like to me, instead of three hours – all day,” Kelley said.
Kelley said she couldn’t isolate any one person for pulling off the festival because of the dozens of people on city staff, in community organizations and throughout the corporate world who made the day possible.
Many attendees at the celebration echoed Mayor Paul’s praise for Kelley for her herculean effort.
Sandy Springs Communications and Public Relations Director Carter Long said her team estimates more than 2,500 people attended the celebration.
Over the eight-month process, the committee sought relationships with corporate sponsors and community partners, including Inspire Brands, Classic Cadillac, Sandy Springs Together, Veritiv and Rough Draft Atlanta.
Councilwoman Jody Reichel, City Clerk Raquel Gonzales and Planning and Zoning Manager Michele McIntosh-Ross also pitched in time and effort putting together the event.
For Juneteenth Planning Committee members, educating the public about Juneteenth is just as important as celebrating it.
In his speech to the Byers Theatre crowd, Pleasant Hill Church Senior Pastor Sabin Strickland spoke of the importance of celebrating the Black experience.
“Juneteenth exemplifies the enduring themes of resilience and perseverance, it tells the story of how we overcome,” Strickland said. “We cannot quit.”
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