BETHLEHEM, Pa. — A day that started dreary ended with some spots of sunshine and a festive spirit, celebrating Black history — and equality for all.
Juneteenth Lehigh Valley held its fifth celebration, a day of education and entertainment at the SteelStacks campus on Saturday.
The day featured a diverse lineup of musical talent, including jazz, reggae and a spiritual performance by the choir from Second Baptist Church of Bethlehem, and a festive "Middle Passages" dance by youth members of Elevé Dance Theater.
"When it comes to Juneteenth, it is American history. I always say authentic American history because it is the history of America — good, bad or indifferent. You can't celebrate Juneteenth without acknowledging the atrocities of slavery."Karen Britt, NCC professor and founder of Juneteenth Lehigh Valley
There was also a marketplace filled with Black and Latino-owned businesses, including food from Puerto Rico and the Caribbean.
The event was held from noon to 9 p.m. on the SteelStacks campus and inside Univest Public Media Center, home to Lehigh Valley Public Media Group.
Lehigh Valley Public Media includes PBS39, 91.3 WLVR Radio and LehighValleyNews.com.
Juneteenth marks the date of June 19, 1865, when slavery officially came to an end in the United States. Celebrations began as early as the next year, predominantly in churches.
In 2021, President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, making it a federal holiday — the first to be put on the books since Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 1983.
Making opportunities in the U.S.
It was fashion designer Georgina Boamah's first time selling her hand-sewn clothing and accessories at the festival.
Despite the dreary weather, Boamah, who owns and runs a fashion store and alterations shop in Palmer Park Mall, said she was excited to showcase her vibrant dresses, shirts, purses and handmade fans.
She pointed to some of the Kente patterns, from Ghana, West Africa, where she grew up and later studied fashion design and seam making.
Boamah spoke about her move to the United States and the Lehigh Valley, where she has lived for 13 years. She said it has given her a unique opportunity to grow her business.
"Coming all the way here from Africa and doing this — I'm excited about it," she said. "It has been a great journey.
"I would like to go back to my school and let them know how important it is to take lessons and study seriously, because I never went to school here.
"I just took everything that I learned from school, and brought it here and made it work."
'Embracing diversity'
At one vendor table, Josh Robinson, president of the Easton NAACP, handed out information on the organization's mission and how to register to vote.
As he reflected on Juneteenth, a day he said was about embracing diversity and freedom, Robinson took aim at some of President Donald Trump's policies.
Specifically, Robinson, who has been Easton NAACP president for three years, spoke out against the closing of Job Corps, which the U.S. Labor Department announced in May.
"It is huge for the community, and Job Corps helps a lot of people, not just minorities," he said.
"The national office will be making a statement on that, and we are pushing back on a lot of decisions that the [Trump] administration is trying to do, as the federal judges are pushing back as well.
"We just have to stay fighting and stay on the forefront of this."
'Everyone has a right to be free'
Karen Britt, a professor of business at Northampton Community College and the founder of Juneteenth Lehigh Valley, said she founded the organization to discuss "authentic American history."
"Everyone has to be free, right?" she said. "There has to be freedom for all. And when it comes to Juneteenth, it is American history.
"I always say authentic American history because it is the history of America — good, bad or indifferent. You can't celebrate Juneteenth without acknowledging the atrocities of slavery."
"A part of our mission in elevation is looking at what we as a people have done and attributed to the nation.
"When you look at, amid atrocities, amid oppression, that you still as a people contribute and you still are apart."
Juneteenth Lehigh Valley will hold events this week including Juneteenth with the IronPigs, a tribute to the National Negro Baseball League, on Thursday and the Juneteenth 5K parade in Easton on Sunday.
Britt said part of Juneteenth Lehigh Valley's goal is to educate the community on the history of slavery, the struggles for freedom and equality, and the continued fight for educational opportunities for all.
" I'm an educator and an academic at heart, and we understand that modeling and representation are crucial," she said.
"So that people who look like me and have had some experiences like me are still contributing, and we have a reason to celebrate."
