This week on The Local Take we’re talking about the new national holiday Juneteenth. This regional celebration has been commemorated by African Americans since 1866. The celebration spread from the state of Texas to many within the diaspora. I first celebrated at Malcolm X Park in Washington, DC in the 1980s. In January 2021 President Biden signed Senate Bill 475 making Juneteenth a federal holiday. Many in our community are looking for culturally sensitive ways to mark the occasion. I reached out to Jewel March Cummings a graduate of Howard University who has put together a culturally sensitive weekend. Her event includes tours, seminars, and more.
I asked Cummings why she thought it was important to curate this type of event around the new holiday. She spoke about an annual event Bison on the Vineyard and the need for a southern gathering of like-minded travelers. She spoke about mature adults interested in learning more about our history. When considering a southern destination, Cummings spoke to the Gullah Geechee heritage shared by many. The gathering in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina will include a tour of the Boone Plantation, a custom drink created by the Cocktail Bandits, and even a seminar on financial literacy and wealth-building.
Cummings spoke about learning about Juneteenth while at college. She speaks about the lack of real history lessons in our grade schools and the need for us to learn our history. She shares that this is the first gathering. She shares the need to honor our ancestors. There will be a celebratory gathering at the water to commemorate those that came before us.
For more information on The HBCU Juneteenth Gathering curated by Bison on the Isles visit their Facebook page.