The coming together for Juneteenth

Tyrone Reed

Speaking with My Good Brother, My Friend, Kofi Asante. We touched on the magnificent coming together of PEOPLE from all walks of Life! The Beauty of the Juneteenth Celebration, its phenomenal growth, and Spiritually infused development have created new history, a new horizon from seeing how the exploitation of a People for financial gain and human degradation can manifest into a world of difference! Keep Them ignorant of Their Proclamation of Freedom, Steal every bit of everything possible, 'That Freedom Ring, Can Bring!' This is what those inhumane crooked sonofaguns did!!!

Our Good Brother and Main-man Ronald Johnson carried the torch of this despicable miscarriage of Justice for many years. Bringing it to the community as a whole, battling the Political Structures tooth and nail to Force Them, Make Them recognize the deplorable Injustices played on Our People!!! Thank You, Brother, for your Steadfast Courage and Compelling Compassionate; I ain't backing down Wherewithal Nature that has brought us to this glorious place and time!!!

The BATON has now been passed on to an array of great and powerful Brothers and Sisters whose work, whose Pressing Energy is moving us and taking us to a Historic Home any and everyone can claim Victory.

Brother Kofi says he is overjoyed with the work, history, and success of the Philadelphia Juneteenth Family. This has been the Year for The Family in so many ways. Our opening Juneteenth event, The flag-raising ceremony, held on Monday, June 5, at City Hall, was astounding. Our keynote speaker was Doctor Opal Lee, the Grandmother of Juneteenth. The beautiful woman who sat beside President Joe Biden, when he signed Juneteenth into law as a National Holiday. She became Our Treasure, Our Queen Mother, Our Symbol of Juneteenth. Her sacrifice of 40 years to make Juneteenth a National Holiday--must always be remembered!

Our second event of 2023 made history in being the first Program presented by the School District of Philadelphia to be placed on the school year calendar. The Philadelphia Juneteenth Family, Our Cultural Partners, and the African Cultural Alliance of North America treated the young audience to a Lifetime Experience! No longer are they bound to the Juneteenth African griot. The entire school of Alan M. Stern, at the request of their principal, Doctor Alfonso Evans, were presented the story of Juneteenth Untruthed Representation to young audience programs. Doctor Nye, Doctor Williams, and several head officials were in attendance as well as some department heads and School Board members. Many Folks from the community were also in attendance. Everything was in full effect.

Sheriff Rochelle Bilal joined President and CEO of the Philadelphia Juneteenth Family Tamara Staley and Voffee Jabateh, Founder and President of African Culture Lines in North America, including Stanley Crawford, Founder, and President. Black Male Community Council of Philadelphia was all in the House! Most im-

See “June B” page 10

kwame bradley/scoop photo

The Juneteenth Family shares the “June B” stage at the Art Museum with the Juneteenth Band, Rashaan Rich and the All Stars

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portantly, the children/students were there--raising their own flag to honor Juneteenth.

Our Marcus Garvey Freedom Lights Project also shined brightly in the city. Marcus Garvey's Red, Black, and Green Liberation Colors flew serenely in over 22 separate locations. The Art Museum, Ben Franklin Bridge, the Airport, the Casinos, the Stadiums, the Visitors Bureau, Liberty One & Two, and many more; were dressed in the colors celebrating Juneteenth.

The Philadelphia Juneteenth Family presented our June B Celebration, a combination of Juneteenth and Black Music Month. The Family collaborated with The African Cultural Alliance in North America, and The Philadelphia Art Museum came together and presented this wonderful occasion. We are Celebrating the Music of the African Diaspora. Back by popular demand, Rashaan Rich and the All Stars lit up the Art Museum with the musical sounds which represent who we are. With the theme of One People, One Cause, One Destiny. We cannot and will not wait for next year. And all the wonderful things that we are being blessed with and able to provide for all communities are certainly a major success! From a cultural perspective, using Juneteenth as a Unified Movement, where we all have a place in the sun and trees for shade.

Juneteenth is being celebrated all over Philadelphia. From downtown with the African American Museum to 52nd St. with the Pennsylvania Juneteenth Initiative's Parade and Festival. From Germantown to the Johnson House, 25th Year Juneteenth Festival and Celebration. And, of course, The Philadelphia Juneteenth Family Connection, we are very proud. What we have accomplished here in Philadelphia is Spectacular!!! A True Togetherness, Where We All Have Purpose and A Sense of Belonging Enjoying Gratification In All Our Celebrating for Our National Holiday. There's an African proverb that says: If you don't help your Brother get nine, you won't get 10. That's my story, and I’m sticking to it. One People. One Cause, One Destiny!

Kofi, that's a Dropping of the Mike! There Were Many Walks, Many Steps to Achieve This Gracious and Glorious Place! We, the Community At-Large Applaud the Tremendous Work and Phenomenal Blessings We All Received and Enjoyed!

Your Bro, Believing In The Strength and Power of Our People, Tyrone L. Reed