Juneteenth Celebration in the African American Cultural Garden

The annual Juneteenth celebration was held in the African American Cultural Garden in Cleveland on June 17, 2017.

Juneteenth, also known as Juneteenth Independence Day or Freedom Day, is a holiday that commemorates the June 19, 1865 announcement of the abolition of slavery in Texas, and more generally the emancipation of African-American slaves throughout the Confederate South.

In the African American Cultural Garden in Cleveland there was music, story tellers, speeches, a libation ceremony, a litany and more.

Photos/videos of Juneteenth 2017 in Cleveland

George Washington Carver finds a “Colored School”

Karamu Arts Theater actor Stephen D. Hood performed an in-character dramatization of Dr. George Washington Carver at a Juneteenth event put on by the African-American Cultural Garden in Cleveland. Mr. Hood, as Dr. Carver, told of his excitement of learning there was a Colored School where slaves like him might be able to learn reading, writing and more.  Mr. Hood’s full presentation is about 45 minutes and is geared toward students and other groups.

http://www.clevelandpeople.com/groups/africanamerican/africanamerican.htm

Negro spirituals by William Marshall at Juneteenth event

Opera singer William Clarence Marshall sang American Negro spirituals (Let my people go) at a Juneteenth event put on by the African-American Cultural Garden in Cleveland. http://www.clevelandpeople.com/groups/africanamerican/africanamerican.htm

Negro spiritual Steal Away by William Marshall

Opera singer William Clarence Marshall sang the American Negro spiritual Steal Away ("Steal Away to Jesus") at a Juneteenth event put on by the African-American Cultural Garden in Cleveland.

Juneteenth and the 54th Regiment Volunteer Infantry

Dr. Eugene Jordan told the history of Juneteenth, of Jubilee Day, and why it is so important. He also told of the 54th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry of the Union Army, one of the first official African-American units in the United States during the Civil War. The event was put on by the African-American Cultural Garden in Cleveland.

Cleveland Marathon through Cultural Gardens

Congratulations to the African-American Cultural Garden who showed the most support of all the Gardens as the runners from the Cleveland Marathon passed through on Sunday. They won a $500 gift card from Petitti Garden Centers. Congratulations!

 ClevelandPeople.Com's Debbie Hanson presenting a $500 Petitti gift card to
Carl Ewing of the African-American Garden

The Irish Cultural Garden came in second and won a $150 gift card from Petitti.

What a beautiful venue for a race!