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One City Celebrates Annual Juneteenth Tradition Amid New Federal Holiday Announcement

One City Community Center

Earlier this week, the Senate passed a bill declaring Juneteenth a national holiday. Wednesday, it was approved by the House, and Thursday it was signed into law by President Biden designating June 19th, as the twelfth federal holiday.

Cape Girardeau community faith center, One City, is hosting their second-annual Juneteenth Celebration this Saturday.

McKenya Owens, the organization's work life and community coordinator said the recent legislative news provides the Holiday an extra level of validation as well as the opportunity to continue to educate.

"It really just means that the reason that we have everyone to unite one as is now supported by the government as well, so hopefully it will open opportunities for everybody to have the same freedoms to live in a community where they're welcomed with open arms and treated as individuals," said Owens.

Owens explains that the celebration is meant to bring the community together and be an educational outlet.

"It's just a chance for the whole community to come together in unity, not in any division. We want everybody to be able to come together and honor the past, but celebrate the freedom that we have today," said Owens. "It's a chance to educate-- there's so many people that are unaware of what the Juneteenth holiday really symbolizes and why it's so important to African American culture, so we will have opportunities to bring that educational piece in as well."

 
As the second annual celebration, Owens mentions involvement has grown, and that she hopes the event can showcase local diversity and talent. 

 

"Last year we had 18 Local black-owned businesses that were able to share their products with the community and this year we have almost 30, so we've really reached out, and then just involving the entire community," said Owens. "We'll have the radio station here, the Arts Council, the NAACP will be here... we really are making it more of a community-focused event, while still being able to inform and educate our community on why this is such an important day in American history."

 

Ownes explains that the community center chose to focus on celebrating this Holiday because the history and background resonates with the spirit and message of One City. 

 
"What we strive to accomplish every day is unity-- Acknowledging that all people have a voice, that everyone belongs, and everybody should always have the same rights and privileges. So just the fact that the government is finally on board, it's just amazing for what we're trying to do here."

 
The event begins at 5pm this Saturday, June 19 and will include educational presentations, local merchandise and food vendors and various forms of entertainment. 

  

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