By SALINA POST
The Salina Juneteenth Committee invites the public to participate in a variety of events this year to celebrate Juneteenth, the holiday commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States.
The festivities kick off with a free film screening of "Juneteenth: Faith & Freedom" on Wednesday, June 19, at 3 p.m. pm at the Art Center Cinema, located at 150 S Santa Fe. Another free showing will be on Thursday at 6 p.m. Following the movie, there will be a virtual discussion with director Prof. Ya'Ke Smith.
The film focuses on a Black American troubled by the legacy of American slavery and the misuse of Christianity to justify it. He travels throughout Texas discovering how Juneteenth reveals faith and a fight for freedom in an unjust society.
On Saturday, June 22, the festivities continue with performances from 1-5 p.m. at the City Lights Stage, located at Ash Street. Hear from local R&B/soul artist Jon'Nea Soul and the Salina-based jazz group, Zafaja Band.
"Jon'Nea Soul is from Salina and she lives in Wichita now," said Margaret Dixon, president of the Juneteenth Committee. "She was featured at the Smoky Hill River Festival last year."
Poet/Drummer Dr. Daisy Kabagarama will also provide entertainment for the afternoon event. Kabagarama is an award-winning teacher and author. A native of Uganda, she is a professor, minister, author, poet, peacemaker, media personality and motivational speaker.
She migrated to the United States in 1982 where she has lived since then, pursuing her career and raising a family. The popular names she is called as Terms of Endearment are “Dr. Daisy,” and “Queen of the Nile.” She is a host at the “Divasthatcare” Network and a Board Member of the Global Learning Center.
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On Saturday evening there will be a Juneteenth Celebration Dance at Martinelli's, 158 S Santa Fe Avenue, from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. DJ Big Smoov will provide music for the event.
Dixon said she is excited that this year's festivities are taking place at City lights stage.
"We've got to keep this day in history in the forefront and pay attention so that we are less likely to repeat it," Dixon said.
For more information about the Salina Juneteenth Celebration, visit the Salina Juneteenth Community website at https://salinajuneteenth.org/.
“Juneteenth marks a significant point in our nation’s history and has long been celebrated in Kansas and across the United States,” said Governor Laura Kelly in Oct. of 2023 following the announcement of Juneteenth as a state holiday. “Establishing Juneteenth as a state holiday provides Kansans an opportunity to celebrate our state’s diversity and honor the ongoing struggles for racial equality.”
Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, celebrates June 19 of 1865, when the last enslaved Americans received word that President Abraham Lincoln had signed the Emancipation Proclamation. While Lincoln had issued the proclamation more than two years earlier, the news was received in different states at different times.