By Bella Caggiano

On June 19, 2021, President Biden proclaimed the June 19 as Juneteenth National Independence Day of Observance and a legal public holiday. This year, the Town of Norwood will celebrate their FIRST Juneteenth with Norwood Police Officer Geoffrey Baguma as the event’s primary organizer. The celebrations will take place on Saturday, June 18, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., on the Town Common. 

“The is going to be such an amazing and special event,” Officer Baguma said. “The vibe of the event is wrapped around the theme ‘educate and celebrate.’  It’s all about bringing people together to understand the reasons behind the celebration.”

The event is scheduled to host a variety of activities to display the Norwood’s diverse talents, including art displays, dramatic performances, singing, dancing, and poetry. African American businesses will be spotlighted as well as educational material and historical data provided to those who attend. Talks are also in the works with Ancestry.com in hopes they will be available to give people the option of researching their roots. 

There still may be time for businesses and residents who may be interested in participating. Inquires can be directed through email at [email protected] or check out their Facebook page at facebook.com/profile.php?id=100080916725826.

In addition to the exciting events planned, the day will provide an opening to connect with people they would otherwise not encounter in their daily life; neighbors meeting neighbors. The public will also help in nominating the first Juneteenth community royalty recipients as well as voting on the Juneteenth art contest!

“The community will have an important opportunity to sit around one table and break bread together,” Officer Baguma said. “Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom day for African Americans as well as for ALL Americans.

To make an even greater positive impact on the entire community, support and donations are greatly welcome. For more information, email  [email protected] (for Venmo and Cashapp accounts). For check donations, make them out to The Town of Norwood (Norwood Juneteenth Event), or donate to the GoFundMe account at https://gofund.me/93a453cd.

Juneteenth commemorates the freedom of enslaved people in the United States and is considered the oldest tribute on the ending of slavery dating back to Galveston, TX in 1865. It is the first new national holiday since the creation of Martin Luther King Day nearly four decades ago.