ALBANY — People gathered outside on a patch of grass next to the African American Cultural Center, and spilled out into the street for the center’s annual Juneteenth celebration.
Juneteenth is the holiday that commemorates when enslaved black Americans in Texas formally learned of emancipation on June 19, 1865. For many of the event-goers it was a break from what has been a heavy news cycle between reports of police brutality and a global pandemic.
This was the case for Zoe Lewis, who frequently attends events at the African American Cultural Center on South Pearl Street.
“It’s especially nice being here in the context of everything that is going on,” Lewis said.
She came along with her friend Vanessa Clay. It was Clay’s first time coming to the Juneteenth celebration in Albany. She said she was raised in a predominantly white neighborhood and she enjoyed being somewhere where she could celebrate her culture.
“I came here for the culture. Growing up I just never embraced who I was as a person,” Clay said. “To be here and to just be with people who feel like family is just really good for me.”
There were also several city leaders in attendance including Mayor Kathy Sheehan, Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple, and several county legislators and city council members.
Owusu Anane, a council member for the 10th ward, said it’s the largest turnout he’s ever seen, and he’s been coming to the event for the last 10 years. He estimates 1,000 people were in attendance throughout the afternoon.
He said he is excited more people are starting to learn about Juneteenth and the history behind it.
“I grew up in Brooklyn, and I didn’t learn about Juneteenth until high school,” Anane said. “After speaking with some of my friends in Albany, I found out they didn’t even know what it is.”
Despite being a pivotal point in black history, the story of Juneteenth is seldom mentioned in textbooks and classrooms. Throughout history many people weren’t given the opportunity to celebrate the holiday.
For instance, during the Great Depression many people were forced off the farms and into the cities to find work. During these times, employers were less eager to grant leaves. Unless June 19 fell on a weekend or holiday, there were few people who had the day off to celebrate it.
Now senators are pushing to make it a federal holiday. During the event Albany council members announced they put forth a proclamation recognizing it as an official holiday.
Corey Ellis, president of the Albany Common Council, was one of the several public officials who spoke at the celebration.
“We heard the residents cry,” Ellis said. “We are ready to make those systemic changes, and put them in order so people can see their government is working for them and listening to them.”
Sheehan also addressed the crowd and told them she was optimistic about what is to come for the city.
“I look forward to the attention this holiday is finally getting,” Sheehan said. “I think you know there is a lot of pain, frustration and trauma in the community, and I have never been more optimistic about the changes that will come because of the voices that are making themselves heard.”
Besides speakers there were also performances from poets, singers and artists.
Ewart Simpson, one of the performers, said he performs at the Juneteenth event because it’s his way of showing positivity.
“I do this because it’s my passion, and I believe everyone has and it needs to be heard, whether it’s you singing, doing poetry or art,” Simpson said.
Simpson sang a song reflecting racial injustice. He sang, “Set me free, let me be free from that mental slavery. I can’t breathe.”
Beyond the speakers and performances there were also tables set up with free pantry items. African American Cultural Center of the Capital Region’s Executive Director Travon Jackson said they typically give out food, but are also considering other needs people might have right now. So they also were giving out masks, gloves and hand sanitizer.
“This is just an evolution of that,” Jackson said. “We’re trying to meet the needs people have expressed, especially with everything going on this year.”