HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – To mark the Juneteenth holiday, the local Black community and members of the African diaspora are hosting several events this week.
On June 19, 1865, U.S. troops freed the last remaining enslaved people in Galveston, Texas — two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation. Events across the country will commemorate that day and celebrate freedom and cultural diversity.
Chanei Cleveland from Do It For The Culture Hawaii and poet Zarqui Edwards, aka “Z from Baltimore,” joined HNN’s Sunrise to talk about their third annual block party this Wednesday from 2-8 p.m. at the Waikiki Shell.
“Our mission is fostering cultural harmony, reducing micro-aggressions, and cultivating a more inclusive society through engaging community events on the vibrant island of Oahu. We celebrate cultural diversity by creating inclusive spaces for all,” said Cleveland, a descendent from Hawaii and African diasporas.
“Juneteenth is a holiday of freedom. Something I feel the Hawaiian people can relate to. Both of our cultures were impacted negatively by colonization. As a person whose ancestry comes from both Hawaii and the African diasporas I feel it’s my duty to bring the together the cultures and share space to promote cultural diversity and an exchange,” she said.
This year’s Juneteenth Block Party will feature more than 40 vendors, including Mary’s Girl in the Kitchen, serving soulful comfort food, 15 local performers, a massive keiki zone featuring bounce houses, free cotton candy, arts and crafts and face painting.
There will also be a poetry slam, comedy, dance, local artist showcase, fitness and games.
Originally from Baltimore, Edwards is a spoken word artist, four-time Grand Slam Champion Poet, author, activist and founder of Volcanic Voices, an organization that seeks to help others find and use their voices for meaningful change and to express themselves fully.
He said he used poetry to find his voice as well as his life purpose and now shares that with the world.
On Sunday night, Do It For The Culture Hawaii will host a fundraiser at The Gatsby in Kakaako, and this Saturday, a Black Voices Matter Juneteenth Showcase will highlight artists at the Manoa Valley Theatre.
Z started the showcase 5 years ago during Black History Month to bring together black artists, including AGT Winner Brandon Leake, Grammy Award nominees Prentice Powell and Shawn William, top ranked poet in the country Black Chakra, and international poet Marc Marcel.
For more information, visit Do It For The Culture Hawaii’s website.
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