Juneteenth celebration will be ‘Honoring the Past, While Building for the Future’

“Honoring the Past, While Building for the Future” will be the theme for the second annual Mount Olive Community Juneteenth celebration.Sponsored by the Mount Olive Chapter of the Carver High School Alumni and Friends Association, the event will be held from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, June 18, in Westbrook Park.

The Juneteenth Celebration commemorates June 19, 1865 when the last group of enslaved Americans, who were located in Houston, Texas, learned that they were free, said Carrie Kornegay, president of the Mount Olive chapter.

In 1866 Texans held their very first Juneteenth celebration and have celebrated every year for the past 158 years, she said.

Kornegay announced the planned local celebration during the May meeting of the Mount Olive Town Board, telling commissioners she had three reasons to be at the meeting.

The first, she said, was to inform the town and officials about the event.

“The second reason that I am here tonight is to extend an invitation to town officials and citizens of Mount Olive to participate in this event,” Kornegay said. “This can be done by you just showing up. We could always use volunteers if you have some time on your hand.

“Or we would like for you to, if you have a business or want to represent your church, to set up an information booth and let the people know what’s going on, what services are available.”

Kornegay said she was not aware of all of the local services available to children and families. That probably is true for many others, she added.

“If you can encourage those you know to set up a booth, we can get the information out there and serve our community.”

The third reason, Kornegay added, was to seek financial assistance from the town to help cover expenses of putting on the event.

The board took no action on that request.

“Last year, citizens of Mount Olive joined in on the celebration, and man was that a celebration,” Kornegay said. “It was the first time in more than two years that citizens came together in a large group and this, of course, was to due to the worldwide pandemic.

“Folks were really, really happy to get out. Everybody was excited. They could come out of their house and be among other people again. We received a glowing feedback that indicated this event was a big success.”

It was recommended that organizers plan for diversity so that all cultures are welcome to attend, she said. It was suggested as well that the mayor and town commissioners be included and that advertisements for the celebration be improved, Kornegay said.

Other recommendations included providing more decorations, banners, flags, and of course, more food, she said.

“We were thrilled to receive this, and we set out to take steps to make these recommendations happen,” Kornegay added. “So we started out in March in our planning. We sent notifications of these plans to the mayor and the commissioners, to the local churches and nonprofits. We opened the door for them to share ideas and to give their support.

“We invited them to set up information booths in order to make the public aware of private services that may be beneficial to this community. This year, it is our aim to provide an enjoyable, family friendly experiences, whereby cultures are welcome to come out and celebrate not only freedom for the African American enslaved people, but freedom for all people.”

Ayinde Hurrey will be the featured guest for the June 18 celebration.

Hurrey is a performing artists, musician, storyteller and theatrical director for Hurrey-UP Consulting & Performing Arts of Durham.

Hurrey grew up in in Manhattan, but was raised in Goldsboro, Kornegay said.

“He will be doing West African folk tale music and dance,” she said. “Other guests will be Souls of Joy, Carolina Old Miss Pageant contestants. We will have dancers Natalie and Jimmy Jones and Iris Jackson.”

There will be Extreme Hip Hop Exercisers, the Mount Olive Parks and Recreation Department Pickle Train, auto show, art show, community booths and more, she added.

“We want everybody to feel free to come out, bring their lawn chairs and enjoy an afternoon of fun and fellowship as we celebrate,” Kornegay said.

Several events are planned leading into the June 18 celebration.

At 6 p.m. Thursday, June 8, at Steele Memorial Library, Deborah Jones of Goldsboro will present a PowerPoint presentation on the 135th United States Colored Troops that was organized March 28, 1865, in Goldsboro.

The program is part of the “Honoring the Past” portion of the theme.

A youth outreach program featuring Bryan Lewis of Goldsboro will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday, June 11, at Holy Ghost Cathedral, 812 E. James St.

It is designed to encourage and motivate youths and represents “Building the Future” aspect of the theme, Kornegay said.

Lewis is a motivational speaker, singer, songwriter, musician and music producer, who has overcome incredible odds to be where he is today, she said.

“We are aiming to bring the children and send them out in order they may hear his story and be inspired,” Kornegay said.

On Sunday, June 15, and in conjunction with the Mount Olive Area Historical Society, Kornegay and Angela Fox, will give a PowerPoint presentation on the historical legacy of Carver High School. It will begin at 6 p.m. in Steele Memorial Library.

It will also represent the “Honoring the Past” part of the theme.

All of the events are free.

“This year, we’re asking the board for contributions to help us with this event,” Kornegay said. “And if you would please consider adding Juneteenth to your budget for the next year and the years hereafter.

“If you choose to support us we ask you to please send your donations to the Mount Olive Chapter of the Carver High School Alumni and Friends Association, P.O. Box 297, Mount Olive, N.C., 28365.

For more information, contact Kornegay at 919-222-1581 or at carriekornegay@gmail.com.