Mic in hand, the Rev. Jimmie James pointed to the sunny skies and urged followers to take up a chant.

“Let’s do business, let’s do business,” James told the gathering at Morrill Meadows Park last Saturday. “Actions speak louder than words, and it’s time for us to build business and to build community.”

James and his emphatic delivery set the tone at the Kent Black Action Commission’s third annual Juneteenth celebration, “Launching a Legacy,” at the East Hill park.

James encouraged the African-American community to become involved, invest and promote business – in Kent.

“We can do it right now,” he said. “We can get it done right now.”

The Juneteenth event – KBAC’s community-wide outreach program – featured processions, information, vendors, food, entertainment and guest speakers. Juneteenth commemoratesAfrican-American freedom and emphasizes education and achievement.

The program, designed to engage the community, was an opportunity to share African-American culture and history, said Gwen Allen-Carston, KBAC executive director, who was pleased with the turnout.

The event attracted 350 people, Allen-Carston estimated by mid-afternoon, with more families coming into the park.

Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. This year marks 151 years since the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. From its Galveston, Texas origin in 1865, the observance of June 19 as the African-American Emancipation Day has spread throughout the country, including Kent.

Juneteenth is now recognized as a state holiday or state holiday observance in 41 states.

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