Penn Center celebrates Juneteenth

ST. HELENA ISLAND, S.C. (WTOC) – People in our area are already kicking off Juneteenth celebrations. One, at the Penn Center. The land holds lots of history and means a lot for the St. Helena Island community.

The holiday that celebrates June 19, 1865. The day people enslaved in Galveston Texas finally learned they were free. The day was declared a national holiday in 2021.

“Juneteenth has moved from being a state-based holiday in Texas to being a national holiday. And there’s good reason for that because it is the bookend of emancipation,” says Dr. Robert Adams, Executive Director of Penn Center.

Juneteenth celebrations already underway.

“The unity of the people coming together… of the 55 communities coming together to make this happen. And because we understand that working together is the key to making things happen in the world we live in today,” says Marie Gibbs, Museum Coordinator of Penn Center.

Penn Center hosted their first Juneteenth celebration… Some in the community know it as Penn School as it served as the first school in the South for Formerly Enslaved West Africans.

Hundreds of people came out to enjoy music, fellowship and fashion.

“Some were very traditional like Kente cloth and others were just exclusive, exquisite, especially the purple. It’s beautiful,” says Carrie Major, fashion

Carrie Major says her goal with the fashion show, was to teach the youth about their roots and give them an opportunity to be a part of something that celebrates history.

“Upcoming generations need to be aware of our freedom and how we fought for it,” says Major.

But more than anything, people here say the unity is what made this day, this celebration, special.

“St. Helena’s coming together. St. Helena’s coming together from all across the island. All the communities were in the planning and in contributing elements to make it a success,” says Dr. Adams.

And as the holiday approaches, WTOC is also following celebrations in the coastal empire this week, we’ll be sure to keep you updated on air and online at WTOC.com.