Lafayette County, MO Juneteenth Celebration

The 2025 Lafayette County MO Juneteenth Celebration will be held Thursday, June 19, 2025, and June 22, 2025, Higginsville and Lexington, MO. A detailed schedule and location provided on the blog and on our Facebook page. All activities are free and family oriented. Everyone is welcome. All children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult. Please contact our president, Arron Haynes. Call or text Haynes at 816-419-3704.

Thursday, June 17, 2021

TODAY JUNETEENTH IS A FEDERAL HOLIDAY: JUNETEENTH MEANS FREEDOM AND CELEBRATION!:

“Great nations don’t ignore their most painful moments,” Mr. Biden said during a signing ceremony in the East Room of the White House, surrounded by lawmakers and guests, including Opal Lee, a Texas activist who campaigned to make Juneteenth a national holiday. “Great nations don’t walk away. We come to terms with the mistakes we made. And remembering those moments, we begin to heal and grow stronger.”

President Joseph Biden

6/17/2021

Logo artist: Deborah Brooks Walker

Juneteenth Means Freedom and Celebration

The Lafayette County Juneteenth Foundation will not have its annual celebration this month due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We are excited about planning for a 2022 celebration. We are submitting this article to provide you a way to observe Juneteenth 2021. Through this writing, we have an opportunity to share the history, the mission and the spirit of Juneteenth celebrations in Lafayette County, MO. We ask that you wear your Juneteenth t-shirt especially on June 19 and during the month of June.

Juneteenth celebrations have been held in our county since 2005. Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration of the ending of slavery. June 19, 1865, union soldiers, led by General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas with 2000 Federal troops to issue the order that the Civil War had ended and that all slaves were free. This was two and half years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation that had become official on January 1, 1863.

Discussions to host a celebration began during some “porch talks” between Reverend Wilbur Conway, Arron Haynes, and Linda Smith in 2004. The group agreed that it needed to be a county-wide effort with volunteers from communities in Lafayette County. The group wanted a parade, positive activities for the family, a day free of any alcohol consumption, and a focus on education about the historical and cultural contributions of African-Americans.. From their brainstorming and attending other celebrations, the first official meeting was held on September 9, 2004. The NAACP Mar-Saline branch hosted this meeting and provided seed money. The event theme was “Staying Alive in 2005.”

Committee members who planned the first 2005 Lafayette County Juneteenth Celebration were Arron Haynes-chairperson, Alvin Walker-vice-chairperson, Linda Smith-secretary, Norman Haynes- treasurer, Reverend Wilbur Conway-events and parade coordinator, Lucille Williams-co coordinator, Deborah Walker-publicity coordinator, Dale and Deborah Mays-clean-up coordinators, Keith Bass-security coordinator, Marjorie Hannon-assistant secretary, Mable Hawkins, Finnus Johnson, Fred Smith-horshoe tournament coordinator, Kiree Haynes, Clyde Benton, Patricia Elmore, Bruce Cole, Tammra Cole, Dr. Corrine Conway, Ron Miller, Yvette O'Dell, and Raymond Nichols. Volunteers were from Higginsville, Lexington, Odessa, MO and other towns.

The 2019 annual celebration with the theme “United We Stand: Now or Never!” was a two-day observance that was held at the community building, in addition to a bus trip out of town to see African- American historical sites, Rose M. Nolen Black History Museum in Sedalia, MO and Pennytown in Saline County. Ray Shepard, a historian and author of young adult biography, Now or Never! 54th Massachusetts Infantry’s War to End Slavery. Shepard was a dynamic keynote speaker. He was born in Sedalia, MO. Other activities were a flag raising ceremony conducted by Scout troop #415, a meet and greet brunch for community groups to share about their services. Hazel Johnson, Fred Smith, James Watkins, and Emanuel Mason were on the special panel who grew up during the Civil Rights era. Allan Lee was the moderator. The group shared personal stories of positive and negative experiences,. There was a special commemoration event held at the Mount Muncie Cemetery in Higginsville, MO. The cemetery was organized in 1900 for the burial of African-Americans. Perry Parker, Joshua Johnson, and Charles Smith, three United States Colored Troop veterans, who served in the Union Army during the Civil War were honored. Volunteers from the the American Legion Post #223 of Higginsville, MO conducted a 21-gun salute. A crew team from the 41 KSHB news station interviewed committee members and the service was featured in that evening's news broadcast.

During the celebration in 2018, many of us learned about the Battle of Island Mound from our guest speaker, Brigadier General, Donald L. Scott, USA, (Ret.). He showed a special documentary about the Union victory that was the first time an African- American regiment fought against Confederate soldiers. The Battle of Island Mound was a Civil War skirmish that occurred on October 29, 1862 in Bates County, MO. General Scott shared about his memoir, Recipient of Grace. He grew up in Hunnewell, MO which is close to Hannibal, MO.

Over the years, a priority has been to develop partnerships with local individual businesses, community and civic organizations, area county and state agencies, schools, and youth-serving organizations. Local mayors and state representatives attended celebrations and provided proclamations. We have formed some valuable relationships that are county and state-wide. Area businesses participated in buying ads for the souvenir booklets and giving donations. We have long-term relationships with some chapters of the Buffalo Soldiers which helped to educate others about their origin, military service and accomplishments. A local Marshall, MO resident, the late Margaret Banty, for years was committed to displaying her collection of items that were invented by black people. She brought a display annually until her death. Other agencies who provided displays or presentations were the Missouri Museum, The University Extension, a girl scout troop, veterans groups, Lafayette County Health Department, Missouri Conservation Department, CERT, Confederate Historic State Park, and area churches.

Music has been a highlight at past celebrations. David Carr, Jr jazz musician from Texas was a favorite performer, in addition to local disc jockeys, local performers, gospel groups, local bands, and music student program performances. Over the years, the highlight of our parades were horseback clubs, youth entries and several drill teams, the Marching Cobras, the Marching Falcons, and the Marching Tigers.

Special children activities have included displays, parades, horseback rides, carnival games, and 3 on 3 basketball competition. Youth speakers have given motivating presentations.

There have been special awards given. At the 2013 celebration, the theme was Freedom For All” and we held the Spirit of Freedom Awards. Some members of the Class of 1956 were honored for being the first African-Americans who graduated in the year when Lafayette County schools were integrated. The following honorees were: Myrlon Edwards, Reverend Wilbur Conway, Fred Smith, Travis Benton, Edward Haynes (deceased), James Calbert (deceased) all attended the Higginsville High School. Lexington High School graduates were Nina Miller Dixon (deceased), James Bolton (deceased), Sophia Bolton Haynes, (deceased) Robert Lee Smith, John L. Slaughter (deceased), and Zelma West Richardson was a graduate of Odessa High School. Area school superintendents gave special gifts. Family members of deceased honorees accepted their awards. We were pleased to have Abraham Lincoln on our program through enacter, Dale Felder. The 2013 souvenir booklet provided information titled, “A Timeline of Lafayette County & African Americans.

Over the years we have evolved into a foundation and have non-profit status. We operate as the Lafayette County Juneteenth Foundation. We have a Facebook page that has many historical facts and our activities. We have a blog, https://lafayettecountyjuneteenth.blogspot.com.

Over the years, many people have served on our committee. The current committee members are Arron Haynes-chairperson, Deborah May-vice chairperson, Linda G. Smith,-secretary treasurer, Ron Miller, Everett Williams, James Watkins, Julia D. Hunter, Sheila Haynes, and Evelyn Trigg. We are always seeking youth and adults who want to help us with our upcoming events. We seek ways to partner with other groups. We are excited to participate in the Missouri Bicentennial county activities in 2022.

The Mission Statement of the Lafayette County Juneteenth Foundation

Lafayette County Juneteenth Foundation mission statement is to develop and implement a one-day festival that promotes the celebration of family, celebrates African-American freedom, and cultivates mutual involvement of social service entities, and economic participation of the county-wide business community.

The Lafayette County Juneteenth Foundation is a non-profit organization under 501(c) (3).

For further information contact Arron Haynes, chairperson, (816) 419-3704 or email: abhaynes@ctcis.net.

Monday, April 6, 2020

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU

Apologies for not getting this posted to our blog!

The Lafayette County Juneteenth Foundation extends a heartfelt thank you for all of the people who helped to make our recent fundraiser a success. You came and supported all of our day's activities!
We thank those who brought donations and/or helped with serving the food: Doris Graham, Sadie Miller, Evelyn Trigg, Sheila Lee, Shirley Hollins, Julia Hunter, Pastor Andy Mockridge, Paul Beal. We appreciated all of the desserts and delicious soups which included taco, oxtail, chili, seafood potato, potato soup, vegetable, etc. We had special monetary donations from Mable Hawkins and Cindy Johnson, and others who could not attend. Reverend Everett Hannon and Carol Walton-Hannon, thank so much for your donation and support!

We had special support from our Lafayette County Commissioners, Tracy Dyer and Craig Williams. Thanks for spending the day with us!

We appreciate the partnership with the Odessa Parks and Recreation in helping us to have the event at the Dyer Park Community Center. We thank the WinCup Factory for donating paper goods.

We thank Sydney Haynes for singing and sharing her gift. Evelyn Trigg did an outstanding job at bringing us a skit that highlighted the 100th anniversary of the women's suffrage movement.

We thank Everett Williams, Shea Williams, and Frances Watkins for baking three delicious cakes and made our Soul Sweet Cake Silent Auction a success!.

Also, those who presented on the black cemetery panel were very informative and did an excellent job in their updates: Arron Haynes (Mount Muncie Cemetery, Higginsville, MO); Everett Williams (Odessa, MO City Cemetery); Nina Jones (Forest Grove Cemetery, Lexington, MO), and Mrs. Minnie Elmore (Pleasant Grove Cemetery, Alma, MO).

We especially thank all of our committee members who have worked tirelessly to plan and implement this event and gave numerous donations: Arron Haynes, chairperson, Deborah May, vice chairperson, Linda Smith, secretary-treasurer, James Watkins, Everett Williams, Sheila Lee, Ronald Miller, Evelyn Trigg, Milton Smith, and Wayne Seals.

Friday, January 31, 2020

AFRICAN AMERICANS AND THE VOTE - A BLACK HISTORY PROGRAM

This event is sponsored by the Lafayette County Juneteenth Foundation which is a 501c3 organization.

11:00 am - 1:00 pm Soup & Chili Fundraiser
There will be soup, chili, desserts, and drinks included.
We will have voters' registration and info about the Real ID that has a deadline of October 2020. There is a 50-50 Raffle, Soul Sweet Cakes Silent Auction, and special music. Come and view our 2019 Juneteenth Celebration video short program that was created by Peter Wilkerson. Videos will be on sale for $8. Our fundraiser is for our upcoming celebrations.

1:30 pm - Black History Program There will be a presentation about the 100th anniversary of Women's suffrage.

We have invited those persons who are involved with the area black cemeteries and give us updates on their work and activities. This is our follow-up from a previous Juneteenth initiative.

Everyone is welcome. Please bring your family and invite your neighbors!

Tuesday, July 16, 2019

Re-Cap of Juneteenth 2019 that appeared in local paper

The theme, “United We Stand: Now or Never!.” was joyfully celebrated during the Lafayette County Juneteenth Foundation's observance of Juneteenth which occurred over a two day period. Juneteenth is the observance of the end of slavery in this country. Missouri recognized Juneteenth as a State Holiday or State Holiday Observance since 2003.

This year's steering committee was Arron Haynes, chairperson, Deborah May, Ron Miller, Wayne Seals, Fred Smith, Linda Smith, Evelyn Trigg, and Mary Turner. Volunteers represented the communities in Lafayette County.

On Thursday, June 14, 2019 at 10:00 am the program included the raising of the flag by members of the Troop 415 Boy and Cub Scouts, singing of the National Anthem, Pledge of Allegiance, reading of The Preamble, and excerpts from the Declaration of Independence and the General Order No. 3 that was read by he Major General Gordon Granger on June 19, 1865 in Galveson, Texas. Tracy Dyer and Craig Williams, Lafayette County Commissioners and Bill Kolas, Mayor of Higginsville, MO read and presented proclamations. An invocation and benediction was given by Reverend Wilbur Conway.

A meet, greet, and share networking activity immediately followed the flag raising ceremony and it included a light brunch. A proclamation was provided by Robin Bauer, Chief of staff for State Representative Denny Hoskins who was unable to attend. Attendees provided information about their respective organizations included Dale Felder of the Christian Ministries, William Thompson of the Bridge of Hope Ministries, Alice Elmore and family, Reverend Wilbur Conway, Fred Smith, Linda Smith, Arron Haynes representing the Mount Muncie Cemetery Association; Helen Moore and Marty Wood from the Harvey Higgins Historical Society; Joe Aull, longtime friend and supporter of our Juneteenth celebrations; Eugene Williams, Minnie Elmore, Julia Hunter, Edward Haynes, Elinor Shepard Howard, Juanita Shepard Nicolas, Charles Shepard, Josephine Redd who were from Michigan, Nebraska, and Missouri and attended to surprise their brother and friend, Ray Anthony Shepard, keynote speaker for the evening program. Emanual Mason shared about his display that included memorabilia of Lexington music bands and Negro Baseball League.

Linda Niendick, Lafayette County Clerk, provided a workshop at on 1 pm on voting and information about the Real I.D. A brief Q & A session was part of her presentation.

Participants which included Cathy and Ray Shepard, speaker and author of the young adult biography, Now or Never! 54th Massachusetts Infantry’s War to End Slavery, gathered at 3 pm for a commemoration service for three Civil War United States Colored Troops veterans who are buried at the Mount Muncie Cemetery which is located south on Shelby Road. The veterans honored were Joseph Johnson, Perry Parker, and Charles Smith. The program included prayer by Bishop William Thompson, chairperson of the Mount Muncie Cemetery Association , reading of the 23^rd Psalm by Thompson and Cailelya Peacok , a song tribute to John Brown, a riderless horse tribute by Dr. Joahn Hall of the Howard A. Hall Foundation and Buffalo 6 Ranch in Richmond, MO. Dr. Hall dressed as Cathay Williams, African American woman from Independence, MO who enlisted in the Union Army as a man and was discovered to be a woman at the time of her discharge. Hall shared briefly about Williams and also the Buffalo Solidiers. Special memorial flowers were placed on each grave by Shepard and LeCaiya, Cameiya. and Cailee Peacock, granddaughters of Earl and Alice Elmore. Members of the American Legion Post 223 were the honor guards and provided a gun salute. Ariel Rothchild and a team member from the the KSHB Channel 41 news team conducted interviews and the segment was aired later that evening.

A researcher, Michelle Brooks, learned of the commemoration service and provided more information about other U.S.C.T. veterans who are from Lafayette County and served in the Missouri 62^nd regiment. This regiment of soldiers are credited with being the founders of Lincoln University in Jefferson City, MO. One veteran, Samuel

Elmore, Sr. was from Lafayette County and some of his descendants are from Higginsville, MO. She can be contacting at showmereporter@yahoo.com.

The real life-sharing storytellers panel moderated by Allan Lee provided a very insightful and educational highlight of the day. Reverend Wilbur Conway, Hazel Johnson, Emanuel Mason, Milton Smith, and James Watkins were the panelists.

Watkins stated that he had “inspired reflections” while he prepared and presented his information on the panel. Smith shared his experience in attending school in Chicago. He commented on how his teacher told him that he had excellent manners. She added that “Attitude builds character. Character builds attitude.” Smith shared that those have been guiding words throughout his life. Johnson reflected on her experience in the late 1950's as being one of the first African American girls to join the brownies and go all the way through Girl Scouting to achieve the highest award, the Curved Bar. Johnson recalled that her troop traveled to the city to shop at the Blue Ridge Mall. She stated that they went to eat at the Blue Rooster Restaurant that was located across the street. She heard the staff tell her leader that “everyone could be served but me and that I could be served in the back and not in the front.” She heard her troop leader inform the staff that the Scouts did not discriminate and the group left. Johnson added that “it made me fell proud that my leader stood up for me.”

After enjoying a huge spread of at the welcome dinner, attendees joined the evening program lead by the Mistress of Ceremonies, Evelyn Trigg. Reverend Everett Hannon gave the invocation, the crowd rose to sing “Lift Every Voice,” Arron Haynes, chairperson welcomed the group, Linda Smith recited poems by Langston Hughes, Carol Hannon sang “People Get Ready,” and Ray Shepard gave riveting keynote address. He told the large group in attendance that he would talk on “the history that we lived, not the history we were taught.” Shepard provided a Q&A period before the book signing. The program closed with remarks from Smith, Haynes, Clyde Williams, president of the Mar-Saline branch of the NAACP and benediction given by Reverend Mary C. Williams. The program was dedicated to the late Ronald Cole (1944-2019) who was a long time friend and treasurer for the Foundation.

On Saturday, June 15, 2019 at 9 am, a group traveled to tour the Rose M. Nolen Black History Library which is located at 109 Lima Alley in Sedalia, MO. Co-founder, Dr. Marge Harlan and Brooke Tibbets, daughter, welcomed and gave presentations about the library. Dr. Harlan spoke about her relationship with Rose Nolen and her and her late husband's decision to build the library. She spoke of the highs and lows of the experience and her mission. Harlan also spoke about the sharecroppers riot in 1939. Dr. Harlan shared the jars of soil that she and her daughter have been collecting at the site were African-Americans lynched in Missouri.

Prior to going to the Pennytown historic site, the group were provided lunch by the members of the Taylor United Methodist Church. A display about the church and other related historic events was on display for the group.

Virginia Huston and her brother Clarence Lawarece, and other members of the Friends of Pennytown welcomed the group. Pennytown, a black hamlet in Saline County started by freedman, Joe Penny in 1871. The Pennytown Freewill Baptist Church has been restored and is the only physical building that remains. The members of the Mar-Saline NAACP, Reverend Pam Sebastian and Clyde Williams provided cold drinks and cookies. Ms. Huston provided a Pennytown church experience with songs and testimonies lead by Reverends Mary C. Williams and Glenn Elmore, Bishop William Thompson, and Sheila Lee. Bishop Thompson gave the spoken word. Ms. Huston provided the history of Pennytown, invited the group to the annual Pennytown Homecoming to be held on August 4, 2019.

Sedalia-born historiographer and author Ray Anthony Shepard traveled with the Juneteenth group on the out of town activities and had some closing thoughts. He said, “The Juneteenth celebration, which included a commemoration service for the Civil War United States Colored Troops (U.S.C.T.) at Mount Muncie Cemetery and visits to the Rose M. Nolen Black History Library and Pennytown's historic Freewill Baptist Church reminds of the generations for enslaved and freeborn African Americans who made America a multiracial democracy.”

Tuesday, July 2, 2019

Thank You for Your 2019 Junetteenth Celebration Support and Participation!

"UNITED WE STAND: NOW OR NEVER!"

The Lafayette County Juneteenth Foundation extends heart felt thanks to a large number of people, businesses, governmental agencies, and organizations. We thank you for making our 2019 “United We Stand: Now or Never!” two-day Juneteenth Celebration a momentous event. The event was held on June 14, 2019 – June 15, 2019. Thank you so much for your support and participation!

God; Ray Anthony Shepard; Odessa Clothing Closet, Inc.; Mar-Saline Branch of the NAACP;
Reverend Pam and Eric Sebastian; Citizens Telephone; Wood & Huston Bank; Lafayette County Commissioners - Harold Hoflander,Tracy Dyer, Craig Williams; Mayor Bill Kolas; State Representative Denny Hoskins; Rachel Bauer; Linda Niendick; KSHB Channel 41; Higginsville Parks & Recreation; Peter Wilkerson; Dale Felder - Christian Ministries; Jim Henry; Running Rabbit Antiques; Apple Bus; Wincup; American Legion Post 223; Cub and Boy Scout Troop 415; Travis and Betty Benton; Everett Williams; Allan Lee; Emanuel Mason; Hazel Johnson; James Watkins; Reverend Wilbur Conway;Reverend Everett Hannon, Jr. and Carol Hannon - Second Baptist Church, Lexington, MO;Dr. Joahn Hall/Buffalo 6 Ranch; Mount Muncie Cemetery Association;Reverends Glenn and Evelyn Elmore -New Beginnings Fellowship Church; Bishop William Thompson- Bridge of Hope Ministries; Dr. Marge Harlan and Brooke Tibbets - Rose M. Nolen Black History Library;Virginia Huston – Pennytown; Taylor Chapel United Methodist Church, Sedalia, M0;Clyde and Reverend Mary Williams; Helen Moore, Marty Wood - Harvey Higgins Historical Society; AIM Lawn Care; KC Call; KMMO; Higginsville Advance; The Odessan; Lexington News; Arron Haynes; Mary Turner; Evelyn Trigg; Ron Miller; Wayne Seals; Fred Smith; Linda Smith; Deborah May; Linda Foote; Eugene Williams; Mary Claudette. Williams; Sadie Miller; Mary Johnson; Julia Hunter; Marcia Ritter; and everyone who donated money, time, for Juneteenth on the Move, food for the welcome dinner and our two fundraisers!

RAY ANTHONY SHEPARD