Celebrating the Road to Freedom
Two years after receiving the news that President Abraham
Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation freeing enslaved African
Americans, a historical celebration sprang across the country and 150 years later,
on Saturday, June 22nd it continued as Bergen County Executive
Kathleen A. Donovan and the Board of Chosen Freeholders along with the African
American Advisory Committee celebrated June 19, 1865 also known as Juneteenth
at the Bergen County New Overpeck Park in Ridgefield Park.
The extraordinary day began at 10 a.m. and was jammed packed with attractions and
activities just fit for a historical celebration. African Drummer Tschaka Tonge
sat front center of the Bandstand and made a thunderous and rhythmic drum beat
signaling the start of the special program.
Officiate Rev. Gregory Jackson of Mt. Olive Baptist Church Washington ”.
The crystal clear blue sky and warm weather embraced the
voices raising the Negro National Anthem “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing” led by
Valerie Beavers and an invocation by Rev. Marilyn M. Harris pastor of the First
Baptist Church of Teaneck. Although there was a structured ceremonial program
that featured keynote speakers Clinton Lacey and Dr. Arnold Brown who gave a rousing
personal account of his attendance at the March on Washington , it was no ordinary event.
The ceremony was full of historical facts of the events that
led up to the Emancipation Proclamation signing and thereafter. It was
especially intentional to include the youth in the commemorative affair.
Juneteenth Committee Vice-Chair and Co-Chair of the MLK
Monument Committee Theodora Smiley Lacey stated “It’s just overwhelming to
think that we can help to impact the lives of young people who didn’t get to
know Dr. King. We’re very proud of that.”
“It is an honor. It is just pure pleasure and joy just to
honor our ancestors-those who died and those who fought.” Shelly Washington Co-Chair
of the Art/Culture/History Committee proudly chimed.
Special scholarship presentations were given to essay
winners David Graham (1st place) and Courtney Wright (2nd
place) who participated in a Letters to Their Ancestors essay contest.
Graham read his 1st place winning essay followed
by an intro to cultural history by Shelley Washington, an original poem written
and performed by poet Ms. Eve Clyburn entitled “One Hundred Years”, a riveting
portrayal of Rosa Parks by Ms. Scottie Davis, an inspiring spoken word
presentation by Mr. Toney Jackson and the Benediction given by Rev. Dr. Robert
L. Curry ended the mid-afternoon program but left an indelible mark on the
hearts and minds of the crowd.
In addition, a maquette of the life-size seven foot statute
of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. memorial designed by Richard Blake scheduled
for spring 2014 was displayed. The celebration also commemorates the 50th
Anniversary of the March on Washington
in August.
The public perused merchandise & food vendors, exhibits,
amusements for all ages, a petting zoo, pony rides and much more that aligned
the park showcasing the multi-cultural make up of Bergen County
Public programs and organizations such as the Girl Scouts of
Northern New Jersey, the Bergen County NAACP & Urban League and Greek
Letter Fraternities and Sororities who helped bring years of community service
to the African American participated in the celebration.
“It is very important to have a presence in this celebration
as our organizations date back over 100 years. We, being the oldest of the
(African American) sororities, definitely wanted to show our support. We
wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for our ancestors and we want to continue the
legacy.” Stated Yolanda Blaize President of the Iota Epsilon Omega Bergen
County Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. of which Coretta Scott King
was a member as Dr. King was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. the
oldest of the African American fraternities.
The day was capped with a minibus tour of the Historic
Gethsemane Cemetery in Little Ferry led by Dr. Brown and an uplifting musical
concert emceed by William Gilbert that featured the Teaneck Community Chorus,
the CBC Teens for Christ and Denise Smith Inspirational Choirs of Community
Baptist Church (Englewood), the Garden State Preteens in Praise Choir of the
Garden State Choral Chapter, artists Eliel Uceta, Curvey Simmons, Mel-Love
(Melvin Coleman), a dance tribute by the Marquis Elite Dance Co. and an
appearance by WBLS Radio Personality Jeff Foxx and the Jeff Foxx band.
The event was made possible with the collaborative efforts
of Juneteenth Committee Chair Dr. Arnold E. Brown, Theodora Smiley Lacey, Vice
Chair, Secretary Rev. Dr. Edna Dismus and members Johanne Bryant-Reid, Diane D.
Dean and Richard Stanard. Sub-Committee members include Shelly Washington
-Art/Culture/History Co-Chair, Lillian Lewis -Food/Amusement Vendors Chair,
Barbara Giarmo –Entertainment Chair, Clifton Arrington – Youth Chair and Public
Relations Co-Chairs Janet Johnson & Isaiah Jefferson.
In addition: Department of Parks: Ron Kistner, Director, Division of Cultural and Historic Affairs,
Carol Messer, Director and Historian Janet Strom. Constitutional Officers: County Clerk
Freeholder John D. Mitchell, Vice Chairwoman Joan M. Voss
and Freeholder Maura DeNicola were also on hand to help County Exec. Bergen County
“Those of us old enough to remember it [March on Washington ] are still in
awe of what happened then. The County
of Bergen
The vibrant and rich spirit of a displaced community lives
on through the sharing of cultures and history that helped shape a proud
country.
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