The members of the 2022 Juneteenth Celebration Committee. The committee members are from Higginsville, Lexington, Mayview, and Odessa, Missouri. The foundation has been hosting a Juneteenth Celebration since 2005. This year’s event will be held on Friday, June 17 thru June 19, 2022 in Lexington, MO at the P& H Center, 1111 Main Street. Picture Information Front Row Left to Right – Dale Felder, Fred Smith, Carol Hannon, James Watkins, Evelyn Trigg, Deborah May Second Row Left to right – Linda Smith, Arron Haynes, Everett Williams, Ron Miller, Sadie Miller, Sheila Lee, Not pictured – Rev. Everett Hannon, Beth Smith., Rev. Andy Mockridge, Rev. Nancy Lindsey, Rev. Mary Williams, Donna Howard, James Henry, Linda Foote & a host of volunteers.

Sesame Street: Let's Celebrate Juneteenth Song | Power of We Club

STUDENT VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES AT THE 2022 JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES AT THE 2022 JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION

THE KC BOYS CHOIR AND THE KC GIRLS CHOIR TO PERFORM AT THE 2022 JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION!

The choirs will be a special highlight to the evening program on Friday, June 17, 2022 at 6 pm.  The program is free and will be at The Lex, 111 South 11th Street, Lexington, MO.  Everyone is welcome.

/Ah'Lee Robinson

Labeled as one of the oldest African American youth choral groups in the region, The Kansas City Boys Choir (KCBC) was formed in 1995 by visionary and legendary music artist, Ah'Lee Robinson.  His desire to teach musical education and artistic principles steeped in a tradition of excellence to area youth was the driving force to beginning the entity.   The choir began infusing classical choral music with traditional spirituals, Broadway show tunes, contemporary gospel music, hymns, folk songs, and other traditional forms that delighted all music lovers.

After seeing the success of the Kansas City Boys Choir, Ah’Lee developed the Kansas City Girls' Choir (KCGC) in 2006 to further expose urban youth to the diaspora of opportunities throughout the country.  KCGC would be a haven for young women to develop and hone skills that reached far beyond music.   Known for impeccable presentation and professionalism, both KCBC and KCGC have been honored to perform as far-reaching as Washington D.C., to the stage with greats such as Leslie Odom Jr. at the hallowed stages of the Kauffman Center of the Performing Arts. 

After retiring in June of 2021, Mr. Robinson appointed a new Executive Director to continue his work.  Mia Ramsey, a 40-year veteran musician, singer, and youth empowerment organizer became the first woman to hold the leadership role for the organization.  She has continued to build on the legacy and foundation set by Mr. Robinson by introducing new programs and opportunities to the choirs. 

           

Mia Ramsey

                    

In addition to the principal baseline of artistic expression, presentation, and communication, the choirs continue to evolve in basic areas of personal care, self-esteem, etiquette, and other areas of focus. 

The organization’s Music and Art Therapy program is a welcome addition to the many offerings of youth engagement.  Choristers are immersed and encouraged to participate in individual or group activities, led by licensed clinicians and facilitators.  Artistic consultants also lead projects that both teach and allow each participant to creatively identify specific practices that help manage daily internal and external struggles.  Choristers have access to music instruments for instruction or expression, creative songwriting (journaling to music), or other art forms that engage their intellect.

As we continue to water the seeds planted in 1995, our mission is to stay community-minded, culturally aware, and to make positive changes that echo throughout the world we live in.

UNDER OUR SKIN BOOK STUDY PANEL

The Higginsville Ministerial Fellowship members have been busy talking about race relations.  They provided a book study to the community titled, 

Under Our Skin:

Getting Real about Race. Getting Free from the Fears and Frustrations That Divide Us.

On June 17,2022 at 4 PM, Reverend Dale Felder, moderator, will guide a panel of leaders to discuss this topic.  The panelists moderated panel discussions from their congregations and the community.

Panelists are Father Tom Hawkins, Rev. Dr. Greg Fine, Dr. Bonita Givins, Rev. Andy Mockridge, and Rev. Wilbur Conway.

Everyone is welcome even if you haven't read the book, yet.  We would like all ages of people to come and listen and ask questions or give comments.

ARTIST IN REMEMBRANCE: THE LATE MARGAREIT JACKSON

 

Artist In Remembrance: 

The Late Margareit Millentree Jackson

Sponsored by the Lafayette County Juneteenth Foundation

2022 Lafayette County Juneteenth Celebration

I was recently asked how crafts have anything to do with Juneteenth. That was a great question. I always believed that it did because of seeing articles related to quilting, making instruments, etc. This question piqued my interest to explain that connection further. I found a book in my personal library. Author John Michael Vlach, known as “America's foremost scholar of African-American folklife,” has written on the topic. His book, By The Work Of Their Hands covers that subject. I started reading the copy and can't put it down.

African Americans have been credited for their influence in the area of the performing arts and athletics, etc. Earlier scholars for more than hundred years wrote that African-Americans were “the one group that had lost its entire indigenous culture.” This means that the enslaved African had no recognition of life from the African country. Vlach wrote that there are eight areas of material expression that were picked from the area of art and craft. These eight areas are basketry, musical instruments, ironwork, boatbuilding, pottery, textiles, wood carving, and grave decoration. He took each area and showed its “earliest known forms and then to followed subsequent developments chronologically.” He wrote that it is difficult to separate African-American artifacts from similar ones used and made by Whites. Vlach does not deny a European American influence in artifacts, but writes that we should seek to always find the African influences. He provided evidence of African influences in each of the eight art and craft areas.

I had the opportunity to spend a few hours with one very creative art and craft person, the late Margareit Millentree Jackson. She delightfully shared the various crafts that she made, gave away, and sold. She made dolls, angels, and did a lot of paper mache. She talked about growing up in poverty and encouraged young people to save their money. She said, at one point, looking at some of her items, “Everything is a bank!”  Margareit fondly shared about her closeness to the Ike Skelton family and that she worked for them even in Washington D.C when he was a U.S. House of Representative.

Margareit decided to display and sell her products at the 2006 Juneteenth Celebration hosted in Higginsville, MO.  She died on April 25, 2007.  She has many family members and friends that cherish her memory, especially her daughter, Doris Williams and son, Michael Jackson. Micheal shared some of the primary resources about his mother. Miss Margareit was the daughter of Lucy Olden and Richard Millentree and was born on February 17, 1923 in Lexington, MO. She was a long time leader in  her church, the Second Baptist Church in Lexington, MO.

                                       Our Event          

 You are highly encouraged to attend an activity that is hands on, meaning you get to try learning a new art and craft by some seasoned artisans. You will hear some hobbyists share what they are doing and display their work. Bring non-breakable items that you have made for “show and tell.” There will be some special items for you. We will also discuss if art and crafts benefit our mental health!

Saturday, June 18, 2022 at the P&H Center, 1111 Main Street, Lexington, MO

1 PM - Artist in Remembrance, Margareit Jackson –  Mrs. Jackson was known for her crafts, working for the Ike Skelton family when he was in Washington as our House of Representative, etc.. Mrs. Jackson displayed her crafts during a past Juneteenth Celebration.  Carol Hannon, a relative of Mrs. Jackson, will provide some special insights.  On display, will be items made by Mrs. Jackson.

 Belinda Rowe, instructor and Christine Cook, Missouri Artisans,  will teach how to twine and crochet. This is a participant activity. Yarn and hooks are provided and they are willing to show others how to start crocheting. If you have crocheted an item, bring it to “show and tell.”

 Ora Mae Williams and Doris and Pamela Graham, crafters -Arts and Craft display –  Ora, Doris and Pamela will talk and share examples of their work.  They enjoy in doing crafts for holidays and throughout the year.

 Martha Bird’s Quilting Class display -Martha will display some quilts and discuss how she helps others learn to quilt. Bring something that you have made for “show and tell.”

                                                                             

                                                                  paper mache container

                                                   "Everything is a bank!"  Margareit Jackson

For more information about this activity, call Linda Smith at 816-456-6654. Check out the Lafayette County Juneteenth Foundation at their Facebook page and  http: lafayettecountyjuneteenth.blogspot.com  Check out our event page on Facebook!  Everyone is welcome.