image

LAWRENCEVILLE – The Brunswick County Conference Center was buzzing with activity on Saturday, June 8, 2024 with a great variety of groups participating in celebrating Juneteenth.

Juneteenth is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. Deriving its name from combining “June” and “nineteenth”, it is celebrated on the anniversary of the order, issued by Major General Gordon Granger on June 19, 1865, proclaiming freedom for enslaved Africans in Texas. Originating in Galveston, Juneteenth has since been observed annually in various parts of the United States, often broadly celebrating African-American culture. The day was first recognized as a federal holiday in 2021, when President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law after the efforts of Lula Briggs Galloway, Opal Lee, and others.

Cyliene Montgomery, Director, Center for Common Ground, Democracy Center, Southside Virginia, offered a word of welcome calling attention to the importance of the holiday. She recognized elected officials.

Rev. Alonzo Seward offered the invocation.

Montgomery recognized several members of the Brunswick County Chapter of the NAACP. She also thanked volunteers of the James Solomon Russell – Saint Paul’s College Museum and Archives for helping organize the event.

Montgomery recognized Anna Price, Richard Pearson, Senator Louise Lucas, Gwen McMillan, Gilbert Benjamin and Louise Mont-Adams for their contributions over the years.

Supervisor Dr. Alfonzo Seward, Chair, Brunswick County Board of Supervisors, thanked everyone for coming. He said it’s important to celebrate the end of slavery and to protect the freedoms we hold dear. Dr. Seward said the holiday will be celebrated on Wednesday, June 19, 2024 nationally.

Mayor of Richmond Lavar Stoney was the guest speaker. He said he remembered playing basketball at Brunswick High School, mentioning the school’s record over the years.

Stoney said he was very proud of the accomplishments as Mayor, the increase in the city’s tax base. He said he is very proud to be an American and he loves this country. Stoney said Juneteenth is a great time to reflect on being an American. He mentioned the recent celebration of the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

Stoney said that not everyone living in the USA is raised on an equal playing field. There was emotion in his voice as he talked about his father. Marvin, who didn’t graduated from high school and the love he received from him and his grandmother, Mary. He said they both believed that education is the great equalizer. According to the website, Stoney is the first in his family to graduate from high school, the first to graduate from college, the first African American to serve as Secretary of the Commonwealth and a two-term Mayor of Richmond.

Stoney expressed concern about threats to democracy in the past like the poll tax and the literacy tax. He is very concerned about America going backwards. Stoney encouraged everyone to remain vigilant and that we are stronger when we work together.

In a conversation with Stoney after the ceremony, he expressed concern that some people think their vote doesn’t matter. He said we must work to get everyone to vote in the November election, no matter whether they vote as Democrat or Republican. Stoney is worried that some people have lost faith in America. He wants Black males to be more active in the lives of their families.

To find out more about Mayor Levar Stoney visit www.levarstoney.com.