Westmoreland group plans Juneteenth programs in 3 communities
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Greensburg’s Unity in the Community group has added Jeannette as a third Westmoreland County venue for its second annual weekend of programs celebrating the Juneteenth holiday.
The Celebrating Freedom events begin Friday in Greensburg, with speakers and activities scheduled from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Westmoreland County YWCA headquarters, 424 N. Main St.
Saturday’s program will be held from 1 to 6 p.m. at Jeannette’s ballpark, at 219 11th St.
Lost Dreams Awakening in New Kensington will play host to a program from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday, with indoor and outdoor activities at 408 Eighth St. Rear.
The federal Juneteenth holiday celebrates the end of slavery in Galveston, Texas, by a Union Army order on June 19, 1865.
The local Celebrating Freedom events also will serve to honor Black community leaders while commemorating the earlier Emancipation Proclamation of Jan. 1, 1863, which declared free all those held in bondage in areas of the South that had yet to be regained by the Union as the Civil War neared its midpoint.
“We must come together to recognize Black History and honor Black leaders in the community,” said Ronel Baccus, event organizer and Unity in the Community founder. “I’m excited to do this work to help my community. All members of the community are welcome to be a part of this event.”
A desire for greater inclusion prompted the decision to expand the local Juneteenth activities to Jeannette. “A lot of people couldn’t make it to Greensburg,” Baccus said. “There are seniors who don’t have transportation, so we decided to do (a program) in their area, so we don’t exclude them.”
Last year’s weather was too hot for some seniors who attended the inaugural Juneteenth event, in Greensburg’s St. Clair Park. So, this year’s program has been moved indoors, to the YWCA. Baccus said.
It’s an appropriate site since the YWCA’s stated mission is “eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.”
Area children will offer a presentation on the importance of Juneteenth during the Greensburg program.
More than 15 organizations will be participating, including Westmoreland Community Action; Westmoreland County Behavioral Health; the Blackburn Center, which advocates for the rights of all to live free from violence; and Sage’s Army, an initiative to raise awareness of drug addiction and help those seeking recovery.
“People can get the information and resources they need without judgment,” Baccus said.
The Westmoreland County Black Caucus additionally will be represented at the Juneteenth events on Saturday and Sunday. State and regional health and justice officials also are slated to attend.
Mini sports camps for kids and a performance by Father’s Heart Ministries will be offered at the Jeannette event.
In addition to speakers and informational displays, each of the three events will feature food and entertainment.
Since forming Unity in the Community five years ago, Baccus has organized a series of gatherings to promote a spirit of cooperation in addressing various social issues and to highlight human services organizations that can help in the effort.
“I think when I started, I had only four or five groups come out to be a part of it,” she said. “Now, a lot of organizations, between 20 and 30, want to be a part of it.
“I’ve been asked to come to different events to speak on how we can come together in unity to address issues in the community.”
Organizations that are interested in providing a speaker or informational display for any of the three events may contact Baccus at ronelb724@gmail.com.