Commemorating two-hundred and fifty years of America’s history with one-hundred and sixty one years of a people’s (African descendants and African-American people) emancipation from slavery is monumental within itself, many would say.
Hamilton Hood Founder, Yamona Pierce addresses audience at Juneteenth program.
This Juneteenth, we had the privilege to celebrate this in Alabama as well as in Georgia.
Birmingham’s Boutwell Auditorium staff not only celebrated Juneteenth and the 250th year of America, but also one-hundred and twenty years of the People’s House, the Boutwell Auditorium.
Boutwell’s Director, Mrs. Alicia Johnson-Williams, Commissioner Sheila Tyson, and other city officials came out to celebrate such an immense milestone along with sharing informative items to all present.
Special acknowledgements and presentations were also given to Dr. Kevin Arrington, who received the Boutwell Legacy Award, and to Ms. Brenda Hong, who received the Boutwell Community Impact Award.
Dr. Arrington had 30 years of service at Boutwell Auditorium, and Miss Brenda Hong served eight years as an employee with the Boutwell and is executive director and Founder of Brenda’s BROWN Bosoms, a breast cancer awareness organization.
Commissioner Tyson spoke, stating, “This is a crucial time within these uncertain times. But we all need to come together not only for events such as these where we celebrate our ancestors but also at the polls. Make sure we not only celebrate our freedom but also our privilege to vote!”
In Midland, Georgia, at Pierce Chapel Methodist Church, we enjoyed the stunning and heartfelt program put on by the Hamilton Hood Foundation.
The program consisted of honoring local heroes such as Charlie Paschal, George Anthony, and Ivory Blanton Cook. These are people from the Midland area that contributed to local history and lived inspirational lives, as portrayed by R. Burgin, Robert Weaver and Danita Lloyd, along with history lessons and performances.
Local chapters of the 9th and 10th Cavalry Buffalo Soldiers Organization spoke to the audience, sharing the important roles the African-American military group has played within American history.
Also on hand were performers such as Keldrin Reddick and Lee Johnson as Professor Judy Purnell, Forrest Johnson, Pastor Jerry Akin and others who shared historical stories speaking on the importance of Juneteenth and its significance within the celebration of America’s 250 years.
The Hamilton Hood Foundation, founded by Ms. Yamona Pierce, works for the purpose of preserving historical locations and oral histories within the African-American communities.
Also the grounds of Pierce Chapel contains a portion of history that blows many minds and gives a glimpse into the ugliness of the biased attitudes of the South where two separate graveyards sit side by side. Only one has grave markers, whereas the other, where African-Americans are buried, doesn’t.
Ms. Yamona Pierce told us, “We’re not here to stir any bad vibes or memories but to remind our people of the long roads we as African-Americans have had to travel. In congruence with America250, it’s only fitting that we continue telling the stories of the people from such a historical place within Georgia’s history and all over America. My mission is to ensure the heritage, lives and histories of African-Americans is preserved by all means.”
We surely enjoyed ourselves as we ventured between two borders this 161st year of Juneteenth, learning historical and obscure facts as well as experiencing the importance of togetherness within such a divided world.
We celebrate our ancestors near and far and all the progressive actions of many of our forefathers who strove to see to it that America becomes all that it proclaimed many years ago, a nation where all are equal as well as free.
Mrs. Alicia Johnson Williams, Commissioner Tyson and city officials pose with Ms. Brenda Hong at Juneteenth event.
