JUNETEENTH NEVADA
Celebrating the Juneteenth National Independence Day
Year One
Juneteenth Nevada / National Juneteenth Observance Foundation Nevada (NJOFNV) is a 501(c3) organization. We recognize the freedom of all individuals in this country, without distinction between race, color or political affiliation. Juneteenth is the realization of the freedom legislations. It is the actualization of the Emancipation Proclamation and the 13th amendment. It is the first national holiday since Martin Luther King Day. Juneteenth honors the date the Emancipation Proclamation finally reached Galveston Texas on June 19t, 1865, announcing freedom to those individuals held in bondage, making this to be the true Independence Day for all Americans.
The national 2022 theme is "Juneteenth Fathers of Freedom, The United States Colored Troops." (USCT). We look forward to educating the communities about the importance of the United States Colored Troops and their contributions, along with the Black Church, as they evolved into the Buffalo Soldiers, National Park Rangers, and the progenitors of the black soldiers in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, builders of the Alaskan Alcan Highway, the Triple Nickels, the Tuskegee Airmen and more. Juneteenth falls on Father’s Day in 2022. We are reaching out to the religious community to post General Order on the doors of Churches, Synagogues and Mosques across the country,
COMMUNITY NEED
There will be a series of social, cultural and educational events that encompass the rich history of African Americans. These events demonstrate strength and courage exhibited in the areas of diversity, equity and inclusion in a positive, peaceful, productive manner.
Cultural responsiveness is needed in our communities. Important benefits of Juneteenth projects is the opportunity to provide awareness to the community with educational, social, cultural experience of the historical plight of the African American from enslavement to freedom within the United States via music, literature, song, and dance. Our goal is to reach and teach residents and communities through Juneteenth flag raising ceremonies, caravans, peace and unity walk, live entertainment, networking and exhibits.
OBJECTIVES
Our most important objective is to increase the cultural and educational awareness of Juneteenth to the community. Knowledge of Juneteenth historical values, promoting peaceful, progressive and productive events plus collaboration by and between agencies, business, community and organizations, providing Covid safe social, cultural and educational activities and events during the year 2022.
Juneteenth Nevada has been a member of the Las Vegas community since 2005. We were instrumental in the 2011 passage of the Nevada Day of Observance of Juneteenth presented by Assemblyman Harvey Munford as well as the passage of the 2021 federal Juneteenth National Independence Day holiday. Juneteenth Nevada mission is To bring all Americans together to celebrate our common bond of freedom through the recognition, observance, education and historic preservation of Juneteenth in America. Juneteenth was introduced to 46 states and the District of Columbia by the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation. Juneteenth recognizes Galveston TX, June 19, 1865, when 3,000 United States Colored Troops in uniform arrived. South Dakota signed into law the final state legislation in Feb 2022/
Juneteenth Nevada Events 2022
The primary event will be the Miss Juneteenth Nevada Scholarship Program. The Winner will travel to Galveston Texas to compete in the national program. The National Miss Juneteenth Scholarship Program offers young ladies the opportunity to be national role models and celebrate their culture, displaying pride in our heritage, honoring those who have passed on before us, whose shoulders we stand upon, and displaying the courage to teach, direct, and set forth an exemplary example for the new generation. They will be versed in our history and go forward to share with their peers.
Other events:
Ø Flag Raisings:
o Henderson City Hall (6/1)
o Las Vegas City Hall (6/6)
o North Las Vegas City Hall (6/16)
o M.L. King Center (6/16)
o Summerlin (TBD)
Ø Print, Distribution & Posting of 11x17 General Order #3 on Church Doors (6/19)
Ø Presentation of the Juneteenth Nevada Pioneer Legacy Awards -West Las Vegas Library (6/5)
Ø Drum Circle & Olabisi Dancers Library, Spoken Word (6/5) (6/19 HEN)
Ø Photo Exhibit and Celebration of Las Vegas Pioneer Legacy in Education and History (Previous award winners) (W.LV Art Center 6/4 & 6/5) (CSN 6/10 & 11) (King ctr 6/16)
Ø Music Education: From the Belly of the Slave ship -Music & Spoken Word (WLV 6/5) (Hen 6/19)
Ø Unity in the Cultures: Similarities of Indian and African American Cultures in Dance, Food, Arts & Crafts, etc. Mini Pow Wow , Youth Culture (June 10th & 11th )
Ø Networking of Community Organizations (WLV 6/5 & Hen 6/18)
Ø Exhibit of African and African American artifacts (HEN 6/18)(CSN 6/11)
Ø Exhibit of Buffalo Soldier artifacts (HEN 6/18)(CSN 6/11)
Ø Senior Luncheon with invited speakers ((Hen) 6/16)
Ø Presentations by Community Youth on Juneteenth followed by Youth Pizza Party (TBD) WLV Arts Center
PUBLICITY
There will be a large media campaign two weeks before events are scheduled begin. We will have a presence on local tv stations and newspapers. Juneteenth.tv will upload video from the events. T-shirts will have sponsors listed. Flyers, posters and other media will be posted and distributed to citizens, organizations, schools and businesses. Websites, media visual and/or printed, will display sponsor logos.