Jefferson City's Juneteenth Heritage Celebration is returning June 20 for the 19th year with some adjustments due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Juneteenth celebrates the day in 1865 when Major Gen. Gordon Granger arrived in Texas to announce the Emancipation Proclamation, which President Abraham Lincoln had signed to free all slaves - a full 2 years after the declaration was signed.
This year, the day has an added importance as Black Lives Matter protests continue around the world following the death of George Floyd, who died while in police custody in Minneapolis, said Gwen Edmonson, Juneteenth-Jefferson City co-founder.
"It's very, very important because this has been going on for a long time," Edmonson said. "This gives us a platform to further advance our cause in educating the public on the trouble of the black people that has been going on. It's very important."
Edmonson said they considered postponing the event, but one organizer suggested the alternative of hosting it virtually.
"Like my pastor always says, 'Thank God for modern technology,'" Edmonson said. "We are able to give a presentation even though we are limited on being actually together."
The day will kick off with a motorcade, but the rest of the events will be held virtually to comply with social distancing.
The "Journey For Justice" motorcade will honor Floyd by lasting for 8 minutes and 46 seconds, the amount of time the police officer kneeled on Floyd's neck while Floyd pleaded for air.
The motorcade will begin at noon Saturday in the 400 block of West Main Street in the state parking lot across from the Red Wheel Bike Shop, then proceed through a set route to end at Lincoln University.
Just before the end, the motorcade will pause in front of the Soldiers' Memorial at LU, which honors the 62nd and 65th Colored Infantries that founded the university.
The virtual events will begin at 1 p.m. and can be accessed via the Juneteenth-Jefferson City website or Facebook page.
First, the presentation of the Juneteenth Emancipation Program will honor and recognize the men and women of the military. The VFW Post 1003 Honor Guard will give a memorial salute to veterans.
Following that will be a Faith and Spirituality Panel Discussion hosted by Rev. W.T. Edmonson. Panelists will be Superintendent Gregory T. Reeves, of the Missouri Western 2 170 South Area Coordinator Church of God in Christ; the Rev. Kenneth Pegue, director of district evangelism for the Kansas City District of AME Zion; the Rev. Linden Bowie, president of Missionary Baptist State Convetion; and the Rev. Cassandra Gould, executive director of Missouri Faith Voices.
A 2020 Juneteenth-Jefferson City Merit Scholarship will also be awarded to a 2020 graduate from a Jefferson City high school. Students can apply via the website. The deadline is Monday.
An entertainment segment will follow, including local artists giving performances in music, dance, spoken word and other forms of entertainment.
A second presentation on black history will be hosted by the Rev. Adrian Hendricks, of local Joshua House Church. Featured speakers in this segment will be Chike Akua, Darius Watson, C.W. Dawson, the Rev. Tammy Nobles and Richard Cross.
Topics include black history and power, black education, the black community, mothers and young women, and fathers and men.
To conclude the day, there will be a Tribute to Fathers with a "Daddy and Me" picture presentation. To submit a photo with a father or father figure, visit the Juneteenth-Jefferson City website.
Edmonson said the organization is looking forward to hosting its 20th celebration next year, and they are open to any suggestions or tips on what to include. She also said future Juneteenth events may be expanded and held throughout the year.