"UNITED WE STAND: NOW OR NEVER!"

The Lafayette County, MO Juneteenth Celebration will be held on Friday, June 14, 2019 and June 15, 2019. The theme of the event is “United We Stand: Now or Never!” The day will include the following activities: a flag-raising ceremony, a light brunch and voter registration and voting information workshop, commemoration service for the Civil War USCT veterans who are buried at the county cemeteries, educational displays , a real-life sharing storytellers' panel and an evening program.

The evening program will start at 5:30 PM. It will include a potluck welcome dinner, music, and Mr. Ray Anthony Shepard, keynote speaker and author. As always, our event is free and family-friendly. Most of the day's activities are at the community building in the Fairground Park in Higgins ville, MO. Everyone is welcome to attend.

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.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Author Ray Anthony Shepard was born in Sedalia, his father’s hometown. His mother was born in Marshall, where her father was enslaved until the Missouri Ordinance Abolishing Slavery in January 1865. Although Ray grew up in Lincoln, Nebraska he returned to Sedalia each summer to stay with his grandmother who lived at 305 West Johnston Street.

After serving in the US Army, Ray graduated from the University of Nebraska, taught middle school American History in Davenport, Iowa and then earned a master degree at the Harvard Graduate School of Education where he received a Martin Luther King Jr. Fellowship from the Woodrow Wilson Foundation. After graduating from Harvard he began a career in educational publishing and became the industry’s first African American Editor-in-Chief of a major publishing house.

After retiring from publishing he launched an encore career writing biographies for young adult readers about the lives of well-known and little-known African Americans who tipped the scales toward justice and equality.

Ray’s young adult biography, Now or Never! 54th Massachusetts Infantry’s War to End Slavery, is the story of two black Civil War soldiers whose battlefield dispatches documented their battle against Northern white racial arrogance as they fought Confederates’ attempt to establish an independent slave empire. It is the story of why and how black men answered Frederick Douglass’s call: “through Massachusetts we can get our hands on treason and slavery.” Their story gives readers a better understanding of how difficult it was for the country to free itself from human slavery and the economic gain of enslaved labor. Sergeant George E. Stephens and Corporal James Henry Gooding were just two of the 180,000 black Civil War soldiers who with courage and pride offered to sacrifice themselves on the altar of freedom to liberate enslaved African Americans.

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Now or Never! received starred reviews from Kirkus and the School Library Connection and was selected by Kirkus and the New York Public Library’s “Best Books for Teens 2017.” The National Teachers of Social Studies chose it as a Carter G. Woodson (the founder of Black History Month) Honor Book. For more information go to www.rayanthonyshepard.com

 

JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2019

Juneteenth Celebration on the Move! - Saturday, June 15, 2019 event will be a bus tour to historic sites. We will be visiting the Rose M. Nolen Black History Library in Sedalia, MO and the Pennytown hamlet in Saline County. We will board the bus at 8:15 am and depart promptly 9 am. Meeting location to board the bus is at the shelter house adjacent to the community building in Fairground Park, Higginsville, MO. Lunch for the day will be provided. Estimated time of return is 5 pm. Please call Arron Haynes to reserve your seat!

The Mission Statement

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.

Lafayette County Juneteenth Foundation is a non-profit 501 C (3 organization

.

For more information, or if you are seeking opportunities to volunteer, contact Arron Haynes, chairperson at 816-419-3704. Online check, out our blog at http://lafayettecountyjuneteenth.blogspot.com and our Facebook page for specifics and updates.

Author Ray Anthony Shepard - 2019 Lafayette County Juneteenth Keynote Speaker

Author Ray Anthony Shepard will be our keynote speaker. Ray was born in Sedalia, his father’s hometown. His mother was born in Marshall, where her father was enslaved until the Missouri Ordinance Abolishing Slavery in January 1865. Although Ray grew up in Lincoln, Nebraska he returned to Sedalia each summer to stay with his grandmother who lived at 305 West Johnston Street.

After serving in the US Army, Ray graduated from the University of Nebraska, taught middle school American History in Davenport, Iowa and then earned a master degree at the Harvard Graduate School of Education where he received a Martin Luther King Jr. Fellowship from the Woodrow Wilson Foundation. After graduating from Harvard he began a career in educational publishing and became the industry’s first African American Editor-in-Chief of a major publishing house.

After retiring from publishing he launched an encore career writing biographies for young adult readers about the lives of well-known and little-known African Americans who tipped the scales toward justice and equality.

Ray’s young adult biography, Now or Never! 54th Massachusetts Infantry’s War to End Slavery, is the story of two black Civil War soldiers whose battlefield dispatches documented their battle against Northern white racial arrogance as they fought Confederates’ attempt to establish an independent slave empire. It is the story of why and how black men answered Frederick Douglass’s call: “through Massachusetts we can get our hands on treason and slavery.” Their story gives readers a better understanding of how difficult it was for the country to free itself from human slavery and the economic gain of enslaved labor. Sergeant George E. Stephens and Corporal James Henry Gooding were just two of the 180,000 black Civil War soldiers who with courage and pride offered to sacrifice themselves on the altar of freedom to liberate enslaved African Americans.

Now or Never! received starred reviews from Kirkus and the School Library Connection and was selected by Kirkus and the New York Public Library’s “Best Books for Teens 2017.”

The National Teachers of Social Studies chose it as a Carter G. Woodson (the founder of Black History Month) Honor Book.

For more information go to www.rayanthonyshepard.com

Copies of Now or Never! 54^th Massachusetts Infantry's War to End Slavery

will be available at the event.

 
The evening program will be held on Friday, June 14, 2019 in Higginsville, MO. The time will  be announced later.

     Watch for the full 2019 Lafayette County Juneteenth Celebration schedule and details!
     Please mark your calendars!

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 hat 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.  The first Lafayette County Juneteenth celebration was held in 2005.   Since 2015, a number of annual celebrations have occurred. 

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).

FREEDOM MATTERS: YESTERDAY, TODAY, TOMORROW!

 "The stories have not all been told!"

The Lafayette County, MO Juneteenth Celebration will be held on Friday, June 22, 2018 in Higginsville, MO The theme is “Freedom Matters: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow.” The event is free and family-friendly. Most of the day's activities are at the community building in the Fairground Park at 801 West 29^th Street in Higginsville, MO. Arron Haynes is the chairperson for the event.

Junteenth is the country's oldest observance of the ending of slavery. “Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free. Note that this was two and a half years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation - which had become official January 1, 1863. “ junteenth.com

The day will include the following activities: 9 AM flag-raising ceremony, 10 AM Juneteenth story hour at the Robertson Memorial Library, 12 Noon – 3 PM a light lunch, voter registration, and 2 PM voting information workshop presented by Linda Niendick, Lafayette county clerk, a 4 PM – 5:30 PM exhibit of educational displays and an evening program at 5:30 PM – 9 PM.

Evening activities include a potluck dinner, speakers, and music. Regarding the potluck dinner, attendees are asked to bring side dishes or desserts The Juneteenth committee will provide the meat, bread, and drinks.. Please text or call Arron Haynes at 816-419-3709 or email him at abhaynes@ctcis.net if you want to attend.

“Until the lion tells his side of the story, the tale of the hunt will always glorify the hunter.” This African proverb is the emphasis of why we celebrate Juneteenth. The evening program will feature several speakers, special awards, and music.

The special guests and topics are follows:

Battle of Island Mound – The Battle of Island Mound was a Civil War skirmish that occurred on October 29, 1862 in Bates County, MO. The Union victory was the first time that an African- American regiment fought against Confederate soldiers. Brigadier General , Donald L. Scott, USA, (Ret.) will be our keynote speaker at the evening program.

Brigadier General Donald L. Scott entered the United States Army in 1960 as a Distinguished Military Graduate from Lincoln University (MO), with the rank of Second Lieutenant and retired in 1991 with the rank of Brigadier General. Highlights of his military career are: command at each rank from Captain-Colonel, and was Assistant Division Commander, First Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, TX as a Brigadier General; awards and decorations for two tours in Vietnam include the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Bronze Star Medal with six oak leaf clusters; he earned a Master’s Degree in Counseling and Human Development from Troy State University, Montgomery, AL., and simultaneously graduated from The United States Air War College in 1981. Lincoln University (MO) conferred the honorary PhD to General Scott in 1991.

In his post military career, General Scott served as Chief of Staff and Chief Operating Officer under the late Maynard H. Jackson for the city of Atlanta, GA; founded the AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps; and served for ten years as the Deputy Librarian and Chief Operating Officer for the Library of Congress.

Since retirement from the Library of Congress, General Scott has served as a board member of the Missouri State Parks Foundation, The American FolkLife Center, Library of Congress, Trustee Freedoms Frontier National Heritage Area, Chairman, Hannibal (MO) African American Life and History Museum, and Mission: Readiness.

                                                                    

Mr. James Shipley is one of the fewer of 200 surviving members of the all-black Tuskegee Airmen unit. His service is featured in the book, Together As One, written by Jeremy Paul Amick. He will share is experience as being a part of the 30lst Fighter Squadron of the 332^nd Fighter Group—of both “Red Tails” and “Tuskegee Airmen” during WWII. Mr. Shipley proudly served as a mechanic with his unit.

The Late James Turner, Sr. - Imogene Turner Talbert, daughter and her family will discuss how it was 73 years for their family to learn that their father had earned five bronze medals for his acts of bravery. Her family will also speak at the evening program.

Youth Speaker – Kaylee Henry is a second place winner of the West Central Electric Cooperative's annual Rural Electric Youth Tour competition and Cooperative Youth Conference and Leadership Experience (CYCLE). She will discuss the competition and the trip to Washington, D.C. Ms. Henry is a senior at the Warrensburg High School in Warrensburg, MO. She is a member of the National Honor Society and the speech and debate club.

Special Awards– Clarence and Herman Gant are two brother and are native to this area. The Gants are retired educators who also have been inducted in the Sports Hall of Fame at Lincoln University in Jefferson City, MO.

Music will be provided by Reverends Glenn and Evelyn Elmore. The Elmores are pastors at the New Beginning Fellowship Church in Higginsville.

A complete agenda of the activities and locations is at the Lafayette County Juneteenth Foundation event page.

Thanks for all of those we came and celebrated the 150th anniversary of Juneteenth today in Higginsville from 10 am to 2 pm. We are most appreciative of Reverend Mary Williams for being our chaplain and providing us with inspirational words, prayer, and blessings. Also, we had such a grand day with those who joined in the morning program by giving us a selection and inspirational thoughts. It is always a blessing to sing, "Lift Every Voice." We couldn't have had a great pot luck lunch without the help of so many donations of food!. The Greater KC-Leavenworth Chapter of the 9th & 10th Horse Calvary gave such an outstanding educational program with Donna Madison giving a heartfelt and personal sharing of her father, the late James G. Madison, Donna's portrayal of Cathay Williams, and Trooper J.R. Bruce's sharing of the history of the Buffalo Soldiers. Our day also included solicting and encouraging people to volunteer to help us have a great 2016 Juneteenth. Special thanks to Ron Miller for helping us with our music, and amplification! Citizen Telephone volunteers filmed the Buffalo Soldier portion and it will be aired on the community access television. We appreciate the Higginsville Advance for documenting the day for us, too. Thanks to everyone!!!!!!

"MAY WE FOREVER STAND" -CELEBRATE THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF JUNETEENTH IN HIGGINSVILLE, MO

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 PLEASE JOIN US ON THE DAY!!!!!!!!!

The day’s activities will include a three on three basketball tournament, music, a potluck dinner, special displays from the Missouri State Museum that focus on Lake Placid and  Whitley Sisters of KC., and special presentations by the Greater Kansas City-Leavenworth Area chapter. 

The Lafayette County Juneteenth Foundation is excited about this year’s pot luck dinner.  The Foundation is providing the meats and refreshments.  Those who are attending are asked to bring any sides and desserts.

 

JUNETEENTH, JUNETEENTH
JUNETEENTH REALLY MATTERS TO ME
MY FREEDOM COST TOO MUCH
SOMEBODY PAID THE PRICE
AND I WALK LIKE IT MATTERS TO ME.

JUNETEENTH, JUNETEENTH
JUNETEENTH REALLY MATTERS TO ME
MY FREEDOM COST TOO MUCH
SOMEBODY PAID THE PRICE
AND I TALK LIKE IT MATTER TO ME.

WRITTEN BY LINDA G. SMITH

The Lafayette County Juneteenth Foundation will host an observance of the 150th Anniversary of Juneteenth.  This event will be held on Saturday, June 20, 2015 from 10 am to 2 pm at the  4-H Building at the Fairground Park in Higginsville, MO. The theme is “May We Forever Stand.”  Arron Haynes is the chairperson for this event. This is a free family-oriented event. 

The day’s activities will include a three on three basketball tournament, music, a potluck dinner, special displays from the Missouri State Museum that focus on Lake Placid and  Whitley Sisters of KC., and special presentations by the Greater Kansas City-Leavenworth Area chapter.  J.R. Bruce is the current chapter president.  The chapter was started in 1966, one hundred years after the creation of the 9th and 10th Horse Calvary.  The chapter was the first to be assigned to the National 9th and 10th Horse Calvary.   He will be recognizing the recent death of the longtime chapter president, James Madison who passed away in March 2015.  Madison served over thirty years as president.  There will also be a special presentation about Cathay Williams, first African-American female to enlist and the only documented to serve in the United States Army posing as a man, under the pseudonym William Cathay. Williams was born as a slave in Independence, MO.

The Juneteenth Foundation is excited about this year’s pot luck dinner.  The Foundation is providing the meats and refreshments.  Those who are attending are asked to bring any sides and desserts.

The Lafayette County Juneteenth Foundation has been hosting an Juneteenth celebration since 2005.  It is their tenth year anniversary. It has worked hard to provide an observance that emphasizes educating the public of the historic significance of Juneteenth. The foundation has been able to fulfill its mission from the help of volunteers from Lafayette County communities, and other communities.

“Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States.  Dating back to 1865, it was on June 19th that the Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free. Note that this was two and a half years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation - which had become official January 1, 1863.” Junteenth.com

The Lafayette County Juneteenth Foundation is a non-profit organization under 501C3
Contact Arron Haynes at abhaynes@ctcis.net or 816-419-3704.

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