By DAVID DUPONT
BG Independent News
Last year when BRAVE – Black Rights, Activism, Visibility, Equity – hosted Bowing Green’s first Juneteenth Celebration, it came within the context of a summer of protests.
Just a few weeks before, marchers protesting the death of George Floyd and other Black people at the hands of police flooded the streets of the city, ending with a rally on Wooster Green.
When people congregated weeks later on the green to celebrate Juneteenth the mood was lighter, yet still shadowed by the protests. Juneteenth marks the day when the last enslaved people found out they had been freed. Today (June 17) President Joe Biden signed a bill that passed overwhelmingly by the U.S. House and U.S. Senate to make Juneteenth a national holiday.
As the struggle for equity continues and seems continually to take on new dimensions, this year’s event Juneteenth focuses on celebration of Black culture and liberation.
It also benefits from more time to plan, said Najwa Matthews, a member of the organizing team. A story on the organization’s website reports last year’s event came together in just 10 days.
“We definitely beefed up the attractions, beefed up the actual event,” Matthews said. “The event is definitely more celebratory and family oriented,” said Matthews.
There will be face painting, bouncy houses and other activities for kids.
There will be food trucks.
And a number of Black-owned businesses including Beyond Blends, Organic Glisten, I Don’t Conform Clothing, Mystic Creations Boutique, and Breezy Delights will set up displays to promote their work.
And starting at 5 p.m. musicians will perform.
That includes Grammy-nominated Peter Collins, who will take the stage at 6:30 p.m. He asked to be placed earlier in the show, Matthews said, because that fits his “soft, soulful sound” that has elements of rhythm ‘n’ blues, soul, and jazz.
Closing the night with a 9:30 set will be Toledo artist Jacob Bates, also known as RedeyeSqair, with gospel-infused sounds.
Returning from last year will be saxophonist Mike Williams.
Also on the bill will be: Imani, 5:20 p.m.; Alice, 5:40; Trevor Fields, 7:10; and Monika 8:40 p.m.
“The underlying message is to emphasize the liberation we have, through our food, our music, through culture,” Matthews said. “It will be a learning experience for everyone who will be there.”
Matthews noted she was not involved in last year’s celebration. She joined BRAVE in fall. She was looking for an avenue to continue her social media activism, and BRAVE was “going in the right direction.”
This provided a community of like-minded individuals interested in working for change.
Those concerns are represented in Juneteenth, with its elements of education, culture and business.
The group is dedicated to making sure Juneteenth celebrations always have a place in Bowling Green, Matthews said. “That is absolutely one of our main aspirations to continue this tradition.”
