LILESVILLE —Joyous sounds of voices uplifted in song, speech, and fellowship spilled from the Unity Juneteenth celebration held on Juneteenth at Lilesville Park and Community Center. Professional examples embodying the hard fought for success of the African American community were on full display within the crowd of celebrators.
Nevaeh Lilly, owner of Lip Drip Productionz, proudly shared, “It means a lot to me to be here where my company originated celebrating Juneteenth with my family and friends.”
Highlighting heights reached in education, preschool teacher Jeanateer Merritt said of Lilesville’s celebration, “It is wonderful to have this fun, family day, to see the kids celebrating and learning culture with the community.”
Merritt is a preschool teacher at Wingate Alliance for Children at Wingate University.
From business and educational successes, to those in politics, Lorrie Burns reminded attendees of just how far the African American community has come.
Eloquently personifying Juneteenth in Anson County, Burns shared, “Many of you do not know the history of Burnsville. Burnsville was started by a man named Walter Burns who owned my family as slaves.”
Running for County Commissioner District 1, Burns stands as a testament to a promise first made by our ancestors, whose fulfillment has been added to by each subsequent generation of Americans.
Representing the arts, local author Irene Harrington was spotted having a good time celebrating freedom at the event.
Crowned Queens of the holiday, and of hearts, Sarah Harrington and Janie Harris were both honored during the celebration for their lives and legacy.
Harrington honored Anson County with 49 years of service as a dietary aid for what is now Ambassador Rehabilitation Center. She did not retire until January 2017, when she was 84 -years -old.
A member of Anson County’s NAACP and past secretary for Veterans of Foreign Wars, Harris will turn 100 this October.
Both women were crowned in honor of the memory of Thomasina Byrd Liles, the first black councilwoman, first black mayor pro tem and first black mayor of Lilesville.
Attendees enjoyed music by Real DJ Starchild, treats from various vendors, community fellowship, senior bingo, karaoke, motivational speakers and activities for children.
Lilesville’s first Unity Juneteenth celebration was hosted by Denise “MeMe” Liles of Unlimited Promotions. This year’s theme was Do it 4 the Culture Fest and Block party. Spreading the culture and celebratory traditions of the day, Liles has previously hosted past Unity Juneteenth Celebrations in Morven. The Juneteenth Unity theme for 2025 is Anson Unity Juneteenth Fest: “They Not Like Us.”
