“Juneteenth, a Day of Remembrance from Freedom to Empowerment,” is a free event that will take place on Saturday, June 21. The event will be held at Phoenix Academy High School from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“Juneteenth,” which is an abbreviation of “June 19th,” is considered to be the oldest known holiday celebrating the abolition of slavery in the U.S. It is recognized in several states across the U.S. as well as some foreign countries, such as Japan and Ghana.

There will be a wide variety of activities for both adults and children at the event, including food vendors, games, health screenings, voter registration, health insurance enrollment, and guest speakers from local government, civic and religious leaders.

Entertainment features at the event will be provided by the Chapel Hill High School Basketball Champions, the Sacrificial Poets, the Bouncing Bulldogs, the Jammers Cheerleaders, and the First Baptist Praise Dancers.

Guest speakers for the celebration include the principal of the Phoenix Academy, John Williams; Senior Pastor of the First Baptist Church, Rev. Rodney Lavon Coleman; the Chapel-Hill Carrboro NAACP’s Rev. Robert Campbell; State Representative, Graig Meyer; and former State Senator, Ellie Kinnaird.

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