JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION in Hannibal Square:
Saturday, June 17, 2023, 10am-2pm
Winter Park Community Center | 721 New England Ave. Winter Park, Florida 32789
In commemoration of “Juneteenth,” the Hannibal Square Heritage Center, Winter Park Library, and Winter Park Parks and Recreation Department will host the eighth annual Juneteenth Celebration: Remembering Rosewood at the Winter Park Community Center, adjacent to the Heritage Center. The event commemorates the ending of slavery in the United States. On June 19, 1865 nearly two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation, Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free. The celebration and observance will feature distinguished guests speakers along with community conversations on diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Commemorating the news of the ending of slavery in the United States reaching Galveston, Texas on June 19, 1865 – two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation – celebrations and observances include distinguished guest speakers on the history of Juneteenth along with community conversations on diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Funding for this program was provided through a grant from Florida Humanities with funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this (publication) (program) (exhibition) (website) do not necessarily represent those of Florida Humanities or the National Endowment for the Humanities.
This project is funded in part by Orange County Government through the Arts & Cultural Affairs Program.
Events and Presenters include:
Remembering Rosewood:
Valada Flewellyn will be in conversation with Lizzie Jenkins, Historian of Rosewood, Florida and Founder of The Real Rosewood Foundation. Joining the discussion will be Dr. Alexandra Cornelius, Director of the Center for Women's and Gender Studies at Florida International University. Dr. Cornelius will share the reason why/how many women inherit the sacred role to be keepers of community history.
Collective Body & Breath Release:
This is a 15-minute creative decompression exercise led by Performing Artist JoAnna Tress and Visual Artist Eric Andre. Collective Body & Breath Cleanse is a way to begin community healing and demonstrate mindfulness of others. Audience members will have the opportunity to write an affirmation, which will then be embedded into a clay pot and displayed in the Hannibal Square Heritage Center ceramics 2024 exhibitions.
Honoring Hannibal Square:
Orlando Poet Laureate Shawn Welcome pays homage to Historic Hannibal Square, an African American enclave located in West Winter Park; Welcome has prepared a customized spoken word tribute to the Families and Friends of Hannibal Square as a gift from Bridging The Color Divide and The University Club.
Black Music Month and Juneteenth Tribute:
Songstress Nancy Ford will celebrate Black Music Month throughout the Juneteenth program. Nancy Ford, will open the program by singing The National Negro Anthem: Lift Every Voice & Sing written by Weldon Johnson.
Schedule:
8:00-9:30am:
Free Father’s Day & Community Breakfast Visit Resource Vendors & Community Partners
9:30-10:00am:
Hannibal's Trek for Children ages 5 and up with Youth Docents Visit Resource Vendors & Community Partners
10:00 am:
Welcome/Invocation: Juneteenth Proclamation Reading by Darrell Gray
10:10:
The Black National Anthem: by Nancy Ford
10:15:
Honoring Hannibal Square: Shawn Welcome, Orlando Poet Laureate
10:30-11:45:
Panel Discussion: Remembering Rosewood In conversation with Valada Flewellyn, Rosewood Historian & Descendant Lizzie Jenkins and Dr. Alexandra Cornelius
11:50-12:10:
Collective Body & Breath Release Led by Visual Artist Eric Andre & Performing Artist Joanna Tress
12:15-12:25:
Songstress, Nancy Ford
12:30-12:45:
Juneteenth Honorees Presentation: Highlighting Community Leaders
Closing Remarks/Call To Action:
1:00-1:30:
Hannibal's Trek for Children ages 5 and up
1:00- 2:00:
An Elegy To Rosewood: Exhibition & Reception at Hannibal Square Heritage Center (across the street)