Springfield came together for a happy, safe and successful Juneteenth 2023, with many events spread over six days. The big solidarity march made its way Saturday morning to Comer Cox Park, where platform speakers announced and applauded each community group as it arrived. They also recognized those who had kept this event alive in Springfield for many years as a small celebration – like Mike Williams, Shawn Gregory and One in a Million – before it exploded into a holiday extravaganza. There were energetic new leaders: the new mayor, the new congresswoman, the new city treasurer, and the Juneteenth co-directors, Shymeka Kerr-Gregory and Cherena Douglass. At the African American History Museum Saturday afternoon, board member Aaron Pearl-Cropp recounted the violent history of slavery from which this event emerged. There is yet racism and injustice and much work to be done. But on this Juneteenth, unity was a cause for celebration. – Fletcher Farrar, editor
This article appears in Bringing health care to community gardens.
