Music, food, dancing, and community– Newton’s fifth annual Juneteenth celebration brought together a melting pot of generations, cultures, and emotions on the lawn outside of the Hyde Community Center on the sunny afternoon of June 19.
Juneteeth, celebrated on June 19th, recognizes the day that enslaved African Americans were informed in Galveston, Texas in 1865 that they were free – two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed by President Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1983.
Not until 2021 was Juneteenth made a national holiday by President Joe Biden. However the day, formerly known as “Jubilee Day,” has been celebrated since 1866 by freedmen and women in Texas, and the tradition spread across the United States over time.
“We’re actually quite proud that [Newton’s Juneteenth celebration] predated the designation of the national holiday,” said Tamika Olszewski, chair of the planning committee for the event for the past three years and former chair of the School Committee.
“One of the beautiful things about Newton is that we do turn out for cultural celebrations,” Olszeweski said. The festival has grown bigger each year, and until three years ago it was held at Newton North High School.
The Juneteenth Celebration is an opportunity for the community to appreciate Black culture. “Some would say Juneteenth is a holiday just for Black people. I would say those folks are right, but it’s not just for Black people. It’s a holiday for all people. […] You can really show your appreciation for Black culture, which is something that doesn’t have racial boundaries,” said Olszeweski.
Planning for the day’s festivities began in February, including arranging for vendors, food and beverages, activities, and permits. Aude Henin, a volunteer organizer for the event, is one of the many volunteers who made the event possible. “There’s so many kids, and there’s so much interest and connection that’s created here, and I think more than ever that’s really important right now,” she said.
Temperatures during the afternoon were over 90 degrees, “It’s so hot but it’s good,” Henin said. Even with the high temperatures, she said it was important for people to come show support to the Black community and bring their families to learn about the history of Juneteenth, “We have fun activities, but also there’s a lot of meaning behind many of our activities,” she said.
The event featured a food truck, Reggae Foods, which was part of last year’s celebration and spotlights Caribbean dishes and flavors. There were many performances throughout the day including a poetry reading by Newton South High School graduate Giana Burgess, music by DJ Firestarta, Reverend Delvin Scott, and Justin Petty Steel Band, and an African dancing and drumming group, Afro Diamonds.
All the vendors at the event were Black-owned businesses. “[Today] really just celebrates Black excellence, and what better way of celebrating Black excellence than seeing the beauty and the talent that goes into candle making, into fabric design…” said Olszeweski.
Janai Carrington, founder of Carrington & Co., a cake and cupcake business, baked four different types of mini cupcakes for attendees to enjoy for free. “I was honored to be here. I think this event is really amazing,” said Carrington, who has been a vendor at Newton’s Juneteenth event for three years.
The Brockton-based baker said that Juneteenth means Black liberation and empowerment, and the festival has given her support from the community, “Uplifting small Black business owners is really incredible too, especially because it’s [a] community event […] I get to meet a lot of people, hopefully make some sort of impact, even if it’s just, ‘Oh, I had a good cupcake today’,” said Carrington.
Marie-France Noel, the owner of KADOKÉLÉ, makes unique handcrafted Jewelry inspired by her Haitian roots and has been a vendor at the Newton Juneteenth Celebration for several years, “I’m happy to be here in a day full of celebration with vendors, but also rooted in community and activism,” she said.
“It’s not only a day of celebration, but it’s also a remembrance of the fight to get here. So for us to live free, we also have to pay homage to the ones [who] sacrifice for us to have it,” said Noel, whose jewelry is inspired by the art and spirit of her uncle, “My pieces are really rooted in our culture, and then every piece really tells their own story,” said Noel.
Noel explained a technique to make wooden earrings covered in fabric and resin designed in blue and red (the colors of the Haitian flag) with a hibiscus flower (Haiti’s national flower) on it. She said her flare for color is inspired by her uncle’s artwork that reflected the beauty and challenges of Haitian and Caribbean life.
“I think being here is rallying around all our ancestors to show how important it is to carry the torch of freedom,” said Noel.
See Fig City’s gallery of photos of the event.
