Communities across the country are set to celebrate Juneteenth. Local organizations in the North Country are highlighting Black history, culture and community through a weekend of events for the holiday.”I love being Black,” owner of KOZY, Kate Estimable, said. The spirit of freedom is alive throughout Northern New York. For the North Country Underground Railroad Historical Association, that word is the mission.”Our mission is freedom. Freedom for everyone,” president of NCURHA, Jacqueline Madison, said. “The museum tells the Underground Railroad stories that started with formerly enslaved people.”They will host events all weekend. From historical bus tours on Saturday, June 20, to a celebration at the John Brown Farm on Sunday, June 21, they say there's one clear purpose.”To showcase the importance of freedom for everyone, but especially for those individuals who are descended from individuals that have been enslaved in this country,” Madison said. Meanwhile, local business KOZY joined the celebration with a pop-up event featuring free food, drinks and giveaways.”As an independent Black woman, I do support my culture and show people that we do love everyone,” Estimable said. “And also, Black Power. We do support our own as well.” For music lovers, Plattsburgh Blues and Jazz brought a nationally recognized guitarist and vocalist to the stage at Retro Live.”This year it is Solomon Hicks, as well as the gospel choir,” Madison said. Organizers say it's all about inclusivity and acknowledging the past to create a better future.”I want everyone to see that it doesn’t matter what color you are, what skin color you are,” Estimable said. “We all can give out to the community.” “We need to learn the history to avoid those things that did not go well in the past, for future generations,” Madison said.
Communities across the country are set to celebrate Juneteenth.
Local organizations in the North Country are highlighting Black history, culture and community through a weekend of events for the holiday.
“I love being Black,” owner of KOZY, Kate Estimable, said.
The spirit of freedom is alive throughout Northern New York. For the North Country Underground Railroad Historical Association, that word is the mission.
“Our mission is freedom. Freedom for everyone,” president of NCURHA, Jacqueline Madison, said. “The museum tells the Underground Railroad stories that started with formerly enslaved people.”
They will host events all weekend. From historical bus tours on Saturday, June 20, to a celebration at the John Brown Farm on Sunday, June 21, they say there's one clear purpose.
“To showcase the importance of freedom for everyone, but especially for those individuals who are descended from individuals that have been enslaved in this country,” Madison said.
Meanwhile, local business KOZY joined the celebration with a pop-up event featuring free food, drinks and giveaways.
“As an independent Black woman, I do support my culture and show people that we do love everyone,” Estimable said. “And also, Black Power. We do support our own as well.”
For music lovers, Plattsburgh Blues and Jazz brought a nationally recognized guitarist and vocalist to the stage at Retro Live.
“This year it is Solomon Hicks, as well as the gospel choir,” Madison said.
Organizers say it's all about inclusivity and acknowledging the past to create a better future.
“I want everyone to see that it doesn’t matter what color you are, what skin color you are,” Estimable said. “We all can give out to the community.”
“We need to learn the history to avoid those things that did not go well in the past, for future generations,” Madison said.
