AACS’ Juneteenth celebration includes education and entertainment | Community

Juneteenth translated to making a splash, connecting its origin, and providing entertainment. A vendors’ backdrop showcased clothing, handbags, jewelry, art, books and novelties. Sign language interpreters facilitated the speakers’ communicating. 

The savor of food was evident – let alone a bounce house – for a tremendous crowd at the African American Cultural Society and Museum (AACS).

Donna Gray-Banks returned a second time as mistress of ceremonies for the June 15 presentation by the Cultural Committee – Imani Kinshasa, chair; Dolores Clinton, Linda Epps, Barbara Greene, Eileen Hopson, Cathy Pearson, Gloria Singleton, Barbara Solomon and Jackie Whyte. 

“The celebration of Juneteenth is very important to us,” said AACS President Joseph T. Jones, “and the very presence of our guests is a fundamental sign of respect for our culture, as well as the outlet of our intrinsic values.”

The festivities resonated sounds from the Djembe Drummers, vocalist Cheryl Hicks, Voices of Faith, Palm Coast United Methodist Church; and Flagler County’s NAACP Youth Mass Choir.

Coalescing Juneteenth’s significance was Edwina Brown, who also read a Juneteenth poem, written by AACS member Bertrand Green. 

In a proclamation from the City of Palm Coast, Mayor David Alfin summed up the narrative: “Juneteenth recognizes the traditional African American Emancipation Day that originated in June 1865 in Galveston, Texas, two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the eminent Emancipation Proclamation.” The scenario presented the origin of Juneteenth when former Texas slaves jubilantly celebrated the end of slavery.

Imani Kinshasa said, “156 years later, Juneteenth became a federal holiday, “when, on June 17, 2021, President Joe Biden signed the bill ensuring its observance throughout the United States.”

Fashion show and scholarships

Reveling the AACS’ Juneteenth Art Contest in a T-shirt logo competition, Claude Larece awarded local students: Matas Voitkevicing in third place; Kylee Effert, second place; and Kayla Effert, first place, for designing a T-shirt that anyone can purchase.

The program was replete with AACS line dancers, an adult and children’s fashion show hosted by Imani Evans, and the awarding of scholarships.

On behalf of the Scholarship Committee, Samantha Brown, Flagler NAACP Youth Council Advisor, presented scholarships to Mara Rush and Edwina Brown, recent Palm Coast high school graduates.

Presenting the scholarships to the recipients, Samantha Brown referred to graduation as “a testament to your hard work and your dedication…and we wish that your success keeps furthering you in everything that you do.” 

Dr. Phyllis Pearson, Flagler NAACP branch president, pointed to Samantha Brown as “one of the most fantastic, upand-coming leaders in our town.” Dr. Pearson further said that the two recipients had answered the question: “What would they have us doing to help them with artificial intelligence (AI) so that it doesn’t take over our lives.”