Citywide Juneteenth Jubilee celebrates 159 years since emancipation

MIDLAND, Ga. (WRBL)— As the nation pauses to celebrate the 159 ^th Jubilee Juneteenth, Muscogee and Harris County residents joined together to breathe life into those personal stories that wrote history.

June 19, 2024, marks the 159 ^th Juneteenth Jubilee, a time to reflect on the history and traditions of Freedom Day when the Emancipation Proclamation was declared ending slavery. More than one hundred attendees joined together to sing songs, retell stories, and read the names of those buried at the Pierce Chapel African American Cemetery.

A large part of the week’s celebration, and Wednesday’s ‘Retelling of Their Stories’, Artistic Director of the Springer Opera House, Keith McCoy.

“This is a great opportunity to honor the legacy of our ancestors by retelling their stories, and I truly believe in using my art to unite people,” McCoy told WRBL. “So being able to bring people together for a great cause is always a pleasure.”

Yamona Pierce, President & Founder of the Hamilton Hood Foundation, organized Wednesday’s Commemoration.

“This is what Juneteenth is. This is what our preservation efforts aim to do, is to bring folks out and bring them together in a very joyous way so that they can learn about this local history, this community history it’s so important,” Pierce said. “It inspires us, and as I like to say it certainly can guide our future.”

The Hamilton Hood Foundation’s mission is to preserve historical and culturally significant places. One of those locations being the Pierce Chapel African American Cemetery where three of Pierce’s great grandparents, who were enslaved and emancipated in Harris County, are buried.

“Juneteenth, what it means to me personally is an opportunity. An opportunity to move forward in a way, unlimited that my ancestors were unable to do,” Pierce shared. “It means that I can take advantage of every opportunity to make this world a better place. I can take advantage of every opportunity to document again this lesser-known history of this lesser-known community.”

The ceremony ended with a wreath laying by members of the 9 ^th & 10 ^th Cavalry Regiment Buffalo Soldiers. The site adorned with flags signifying unmarked graves.

Events are set to continue throughout the week including a historical photo session, Western Ball, and Jubilee.

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