Juneteenth/National Freedom Day in Hartsville
A new tradition is being established for Darlington County in the form of a local Juneteenth/National Freedom Day Celebration. The June 18th, five-hour event will be held at Hartsville’s Pride Park, 630 South Six Street, bringing to fruition the vision of Hartsville City Councilwoman Adlena Graham.
The committee, chaired by Graham consists of Darlington City Councilwoman Elaine Reed, Co-Chair Darnell McPherson, Exec. Dir. of Darlington County First Steps, Keiada Holmes of Living Out Loud Youth Ministries, Brian Gandy of the Darlington County Historical Commission, Mahli St Cloud, Barbara Carraway of Hartsville’s Gospel In Pride Park series, Jennifer Heusel professor of Communications and African American Studies at Coker College, and BoBByRoss, formerly of The Community Times Newspaper and Founder of the Man Stanley Legacy Leadership Institute. Jessica Cohen of the Tourism Office in Hartsville is providing logistical assistance to the project.
This organizing group has been meeting to plan how best to commemorate Juneteenth locally, a historic event that is not presently observed locally in a meaningful way. “It is not commonly known that the 1862 signing of the Emancipation Proclamation by then President Abraham Lincoln did not automatically abolish slavery,” says Graham. “It did put the process into motion.”
Individual communities throughout the United States have been setting aside June 19th as a day of celebration, marking the date, June 19th 1865 when slaves in Texas finally got word of Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation!
“Juneteenth is a day of celebration through reflection,” cites the purpose statement developed by the committee. “A day of renewal, a pride-filled day. A day that marks a moment in time that we may establish a new and lasting commitment to reconciliation and unity. A time to appreciate the rich African American Experience in truth! It is a day of inclusiveness, all races, all ethnicities, even nationalities. Nothing is more rewarding and comforting than hands joined together in sincere friendship and camaraderie.”
In addition to a solemn day of commemoration and celebration, this Juneteenth event will feature fun, music, entertainment, vendors, art and more!
Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chair, and vendors are welcome! For further information, call Jessica Cohen at 843-917 0602.