Warren welcomes city’s first Juneteenth celebration

WARREN — Warren’s first Juneteenth celebration on June 19 in City Square was embraced by the community and celebrated freedom, unity and empowerment.

The energy was palpable, the sun sparkled and the crowd reflected a beautiful mosaic of diverse people smiling, nodding and cheering as they listened to great music and compelling speakers. The speakers hailed from Warren and throughout the state of Michigan, from professions spanning ministry to politics, business to television and movie actors.

The event started with a power prayer from the Rev. Dorian Cast, senior pastor of Life Application Ministries, blessing those in attendance, in the state and around the world. LaTorea McBride performed a rousing rendition of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” the Black national anthem.

Among the speakers were Warren resident Joel Rutherford; state representatives Donavan McKinney, Lori Stone and Joe Tate; actor, author and business owner Hill Harper; and a representative from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s office.

“You can’t be free if the cost of being you is too high,” said Harper. “For too many of us today there is a high cost in being us. I am not just talking about pecuniary or money costs.”

Hill further explained, “I’m talking about the cost if you are a young Black man, and you are interacting with the wrong police officers. There is a high cost of being you because it could cost you your life.”

Hill talked about how social justice is coupled with economic justice. Adding business ownership helps to empower the community and create opportunity.

“I truly believe that you cannot have social justice without economic justice. We have to do better in terms of empowering our community,” Hill said. “The idea of freedom, the idea of emancipation reflects and is completely tied and inextricably linked to the concept of opportunity.”

Working together and unity was a major theme throughout the event.

“It is important for me to be here for my children to witness an act of unity,” said Shawndia North, of Clinton Township. “To hear so much about unity, which is going to bring us (together) and push us forward is most important.”

Michigan state Rep. Lori Stone said, “I am just glad that Warren continues to move forward and embrace our diversity in our community. The only way we move forward toward a more perfect union, (which) was the vision that was laid out at the start of this country, is to embrace, reflect and remember, and continue to strive to improve.”

Michael Howard, one of the organizers of the event, received support for this event from all levels of government — the Warren City Council, Warren Mayor James Fouts and the governor.

“They have welcomed us and supported us,” Howard said.

Howard continued, “Juneteenth is a recognition of barriers being broken. To see this (celebration) here in Warren, a significant barrier has been broken.”

Whitmer had a representative from her office with a proclamation for the organizers of the event signed by the governor and Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist.

Whitmer’s representative read the proclamation.

“The final section of the proclamation says, ‘We encourage all citizens in the state of Michigan to participate in the Juneteenth Freedom Festival and celebrate African American history and culture while continuing to promote diversity, equality and a strong sense of community in our state.”

Warren City Councilman Jonathan Lafferty supported the event and said, “This (Juneteenth) is an example of diversity, equity and inclusion in practice. We have a responsibility to practice what we are enacting in government and the Juneteenth celebration, the first ever, is a perfect example of demonstrating that.”

Juneteenth is a celebration of the end of slavery.  Even though President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 that ended slavery in the United States, states under Confederate control did not abide by this law. Texas was among the states that remained a slave state until June 19, 1865. More than 2,000 Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas, and announced the 250,000-plus slaves in the state were free by executive decree. The newly freed people called this day Juneteenth.

“As much as Juneteenth is geared around Black history, it’s an American holiday,” said Howard.  It’s about unity and how we move forward.”

After the inspiring speeches, the event ended with a concert from the Smoke Jones Detroit Band.