For Family by Family LLC (FFBF) and the City of Florence will present a first Florence Juneteenth Event, Monday June 19, from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
The event will start at 10 a.m. with a Proclamation ceremony at the Kentucky Historical First African American First Baptist Church of Florence and will then carry over to Stringtown Park in Florence at noon to initiate the celebration of Juneteenth with this year’s theme: “Discovering your roots.”
A crowd of 300 people ranging from the ages of infancy to senior adult is anticipated to participate in this day of family friendly activities. This shared freedom experience will feature a variety of:
• Food cuisine from different cultural backgrounds
• Music
• Family Activities
• Business/ Non-Profits offering resources.
The proclamation ceremony will reflect its significance. Boone County Borderlands Archive and History Center will feature the historical marker of the First Baptist Church of Florence. The ceremony will feature speakers who will address the history of the day.
The church was founded in 1870 by the Trustees of the Colored Baptist Association. Historians say it was essential in developing a community of former slaves and freedmen in and around Florence. In addition to its role as a church, it was often the center of social events and community meetings. There were also all-day basket meetings several times a year that brought descendants back to the area. It had an active congregation for more than 100 years.
The Juneteenth celebration will also highlight its historical meaning and background of the day. Educating, advocating, and commemorating June 19,1865, when Union soldiers; led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston Texas with news that the Civil War had ended and enslaved people in the United States of America were now free. Their jubilee is the oldest traditional way of celebrating the end of slavery in the United States. The Juneteenth Festival traces its origins to the African American Festivals that began in 2005. It is a commemoration of the past with consciousness to inspire the future.
For Family by Family’s initiative for this year’s Juneteenth event is aiming to unify the community and encourage people to be more educated on understanding the importance of the Juneteenth holiday. Also, while contributing back to their community by hosting a cultured shared experience with the participation of NKY and metro businesses. Ranging from educators, local businesses, nonprofits agencies, and organizations.
Dashai Thompson said “You can utilize and take a lot way from this year’s Juneteenth celebration. We want to expose the community to the resources that are available and the advocates who fight every day for the needs of the people. For Family By Family recognizes that Community resources are essential in helping people access assistance and expand their range of outlets of support to meet their needs. Community resources help build stronger, more resilient individuals and communities.”
Sienna Thompson said “For Family By Family is a community outreach and resource organization for the community by the community. This Juneteenth event serves as a foundation for community improvement.”
The participation in this event contributes to the continuation of providing educational experiences and creating opportunities. This will result in increasing growth in the Northern Kentucky area, creating a more equitable, diverse, and inclusive place we can all call home.
The following vendors will be participating:
Zion Baptist Church, Kentucky Smoked Brisket, East Coast Eatz, Kona Ice, Heavenlys Bakehouse, Ndigenouz Custom Apparel, Nrgeticcreation Custom Apparel. Boone County Kentucky Democratic party, Boone County Borderlands Archive and History Center Boone County Public Library, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Kentuckians for the Commonwealth, Mental Health America of Northern Kentucky, and Southwest Ohio, Northern Kentucky Health Department, Indiana Tech, Gateway Technical College, Soulistic healing.
Sponsor: United Way of Greater Cincinnati.
For Family by Family
