Town officials, students, and residents are all welcome to attend the fourth annual Juneteenth ceremony and flag-raising.
The town’s Juneteenth ceremony will be held on Wednesday, June 12 on the lawn of Abbot Hall at 4:30 p.m. at 188 Washington St. The ceremony is sponsored by the town’s Task Force Against Discrimination.
Juneteenth, which was recognized as a federal holiday in June 2021, commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. The holiday was first celebrated in Texas in 1865 and is also recognized as “Freedom Day,” “Emancipation Day,” and “Juneteenth National Independence Day.” The celebrations in Marblehead took place seven days before the actual holiday, which is June 19.
The one-hour program will start with drumming and storytelling by Greg Coles.
North Shore Juneteenth Association President and founder Nicole McClain will speak about the history of the holiday.
“It’s very important that we highlight the plight of Black Americans in our community and we also lift their voices up and let them know that they’re welcome in our community,” McClain said in an interview with The Weekly News.
She added that she hopes people will leave the event with a better understanding of the holiday’s significance.
Terry Carter will share poems and Janey David will sing the Black national anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”
Marine cadets from Lynn English High School will raise the Juneteenth flag and Marblehead High School students will be featured at the ceremony.