Westchester & Rockland Celebrate Juneteenth This Weekend

On June 1, Westchester and Rockland communities gathered in Bedford Hills to celebrate Juneteenth, now finally a nationally recognized federal holiday. Guests were serenaded by Grammy Award-winning cellist Akua Dixon, taught by keynote speaker Professor James Small and entertained by African fashions from Luangisa Gallery. They learned from presentations by the founders of Black Westchester, and joined in salutations by drummer Baba Abishai. But what truly brought them together was an acknowledgement of our history, a recognition of the oppression of African slaves, and a vow to never repeat the atrocity of their enslavement. It was a vow to learn from that history and unity as one to never oppress any population.

On June 19, 1865, two years after the Emancipation Proclamation, freedom came for 250,000 enslaved individuals in Galveston, Texas when union troops announced that remaining slaves were freed by executive decree. The day became and remains an annual celebration.

This year’s June 1 event at Bedford Hills Community House kicked off a month filled with celebrations throughout Westchester and Rockland Counties. ArtsWestchester has compiled a directory of these Juneteenth events to help residents find celebrations happening near them and join in the festivities.

Sounds of gospel will fill Haverstraw African American Memorial Park on June 18. At a special workshop in Tarrytown’s Pierson Park on June 17, former members of Alvin Ailey Dance Company will teach participants excerpts from Ailey’s seminal modern dance “Revelations,” accompanied by live music. Celebrations throughout the month in New Rochelle include broom-making and African drumming workshops, a jazz concert, a historic trolley ride and more. Peekskill celebrates with a joyous parade and festival on June 17. Many more towns have family-friendly, educational and festive offerings.

To view ArtsWestchester’s directory of Juneteenth events, visit artsw.org/Juneteenth.

Photos: previous Juneteenth celebrations in New Rochelle and Tarrytown

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Mary Alice Franklin is ArtsWestchester’s Communications Manager and Editor of ArtsNews. She has a Bachelors in English and Masters in Publishing, and has been published in Paste Magazine, HuffPost, Art Zealous, Art Times, and more.