GREETINGS JUNEBUGS
http://youtube.com/juneteenthva
Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the end of legalized slavery in the United States. The term "Juneteenth" originated on June 19, 1865 when Federal troops arrived in Galveston, TX with the news that Confederate General Robert E. Lee had surrendered to Union General Ulysses S. Grant on April 9, 1865 and slavery was abolished. (Technically, slavery was abolished by the adoption of the 13th Amendment on December 18, 1865, but today Juneteenth is a state holiday in Texas and officially recognized by over 30 other states in the Union.)
On February 22, 2007 the Virginia General Assembly designated the third Saturday in June as
"Juneteenth Freedom Day"
Juneteenth Festival Company (JFC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded by executive director Sheri Bailey in 1996. The 2009 – 2010 board officers are as follows: Ernest Lowery, president and Earl Lewis, vice president.
Treasurer and Secretary positions are currently unfilled. Elections for all officer positions will be held August 2009.
Board members include: James T.L. Cooper, James Smith, Linda Kinchley, Harvey Ed Jones and Jennifer Kelley Cooper who respectively serve on the board as artistic director, sponsorship chair, vendor chair, film producer and arts programming.
Other board members including advisory members are as follows: Lisa Smith, Leslie Parker, Veronica Vaughan, Pinkie Chappell, Julia Whiley, Peyton Bailey, Jerome Jackson, Apryl Jones, Brianne Green, Ann Williams, Margaret Windley, Tara White, Karl West, Joe Jones, Tom Palumbo, Linwood Mosby, James Brazil, Pastor Jack Gaines and Dr. Ronald M. Myers
Some of our most enduring partners include: Chesapeake Parks & Recreation, Unitarian Church of Norfolk, Norfolk State University History Dept., Off-Base G.I. Center, The Catholic Worker, Imani Foundation, Francis Land House, Friends of Fort Monroe, Chesapeake, Norfolk & Portsmouth Public Library systems.
JFC’s mission is to educate about Hampton Roads’ rich and powerful history as it relates to the legacy of legalized slavery in America "without shame or blame.” Our group seeks to foster healing in America. JuneteenthVA uses the arts to educate about a difficult history and it works!
To continue this important work your support is needed.
Please help us celebrate the
14th Annual
Hampton Roads Juneteenth Festival
Sat, June 19th & Sun, June 20th, 2010
Chesapeake City Park
900 Greenbrier Parkway
By partnering with other groups, businesses, arts and service organizations, JuneteenthVA works to enhance the life of the community by way of theatre productions that educate and train people about health care, communication skills and teambuilding.
This is how we will rebuild America.
Celebrating American and Virginia history and culture for the last decade has turned HRJF into a highly respected event with loyal attendees who appreciate and patronize brands and companies that support the Festival.
Vendors, your business interests will receive a positive and immediate return in the investment of partnering with the 2010 Hampton Roads Juneteenth Festival. Our internet presence will eventually be global, so this is the time to come onboard to promote and to share the vision of JuneteenthVA
We look forward to working with you in the continued education and celebration of that most cherished of all American values – Freedom!
Peace in the Vision of a Nu World
Ernest Lowery, Board President
Sheri Bailey, Executive Director
James T.L. Cooper, Artistic Director