… is considered the real Independence Day in the African American community.

By Bernice
Elizabeth Green
Photos by Barry L. Mason
The Federal holiday marks the day (June 19, 1865) enslaved Africans in Galveston, Texas, learned they had been enslaved for 2 1/2 years beyond the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation.

Juneteenth 2024 celebrations nationwide focused on culture and liberation — with great food, singing, dancing, and cultural arts activities. The recent 23rd Annual Brooklyn Juneteenth Arts Festival held on Saturday, June 15, at Herbert Von King Park event, was hosted by Brenda-Brunson Bey, Tribal Truths, and Spring McClendon, founding chairs of the borough’s Cooperative Culture Collective. CCC opened the door to new themes, among them an expansion of the concept of Freedom Day as an open-air university for all ages.

In successive weeks, Our Time Press will present images and speeches from memorable on-stage presentations hosted by award-winning choreographer-dancer-educator Baba Obediah Wright. We will also highlight the events’ awardees, performers, special guests and moments as we progress to Black August and the 2024 back-to-school season, spurred by Baba Wright’s life-long beliefs in “paying homage to those who came before us for the sacrifices they made that enable us to stand where we are now as artists and as a people.”