West Hartford hosted its fourth annual Juneteenth CommUNITY celebration on the Town hall grounds Saturday afternoon. 

By Bridget Bronsdon  

There wasn’t a cloud in the sky for West Hartford’s fourth annual Juneteenth celebration. The event, which followed the Hidden History Commemoration at the Noah Webster Library, was complete with vendors, music, live performers, and speakers. 

The joyful yet touching celebration was a beautiful blend of history, culture, remembrance, support, and community to honor what is now a federal holiday. 

The event kicked off in lively fashion with an upbeat and high-energy performance by Friendz World Music. While the group danced and drummed, they brought the celebration to life. Audience members clapped along, jumped out of their seats to move, and joined the group in a dance routine. 

The group also took a moment to recognize their ancestors by performing a special tradition. The group members poured water from one vessel to another, representing the circle of life, and encouraged the crowd to call out the names of their ancestors to give thanks and praise. 

Following the passionate performance, Town Councilor Carol Anderson Blanks took the stage to formally read a proclamation.

It read, “Whereas the town of West Hartford remains committed to taking steps to acknowledge and reconcile the history of slavery in this town by recognizing that the foundations that built this town included enslaved individuals, many of whom died without the title of a free person they so richly deserved and by continuing to strive for equity and justice through education, policy, and community engagement.” 

Following the proclamation, Conard student Sirina Garba sang a touching rendition of the Black National Anthem. 

Among the celebrations, the event-goers heard words from community members and leaders. WHPS Executive Director of Equity Advancement, Theresa Rangel, was the first to offer words and began by connecting the day’s events to a book, “Where Oliver Fits,” by Cale Atkinson. 

The children’s story follows a puzzle piece, Oliver, who yearned to belong, and as Rangel noted, the feeling of wanting to belong doesn’t have an age limit. 

“We all desire the same things, to be seen, to be heard, and to be valued for your unique, authentic self. We have more in common than I think we know,” she said. 

In the story, Rangel explained Oliver’s dream, to be a part of the big picture, a community, and something bigger than himself. While he tries to find his place, Oliver tries to change himself to fit in. He’s the wrong color, shape, and size which leads him to be laughed at and ridiculed, Rangel explained.

At last, Oliver transforms himself to fit in. However, he’s no longer his true self and quickly realizes fitting in isn’t worth changing who he is. 

While the story may be a children’s book, the true meaning holds much importance. “I love this book because it’s a true reflection of what it truly means to belong and to be free to yourself without jeopardizing your place in this world,” Rangel said. 

She went on to explain that events such as the Juneteenth celebration provide windows and mirrors for all community members, or “puzzle pieces,” to come together and value each other for the “masterpiece that they are as individuals while loving how we fit together and create something beautiful.” 

After Rangel’s thoughtful comparisons, a student speaker was welcomed onstage. 

Kristina Taylor, a Conard 2024 graduate, focused on the themes of resilience and Black power. “Frequently we tend to emphasize the struggle and not highlight the resilience it took,” she said. 

“The concept of Black power is an essential aspect in the African American experience in history. Black power represents the strength, resilience, and unapologetic pride of the Black community. It emphasizes self-determination, self-empowerment, assertion of rights, challenging the systematic oppression and racism that historically marginalized African Americans,” she said. 

For all those who demonstrated power, resilience, and pride, Taylor offered something irreplaceable, credit. 

“I credit everyone. I credit the big names and the small ones that go unnoticed entirely as contributions to our resilience in 2024,” she finished. 

Keynote speaker Frank Mitchell, cultural organizer at The Amistad Center for Art & Culture, was next to offer thoughtful words.

Mitchell recalled the history behind Bristow Middle School and the special person it was named after. “Bristow was an enslaved Black man here who bought his freedom at the time of the revolution and established himself as an agricultural leader,” Mitchell reminded the listeners. However, Mitchell was especially interested in the people that produced the decision of naming Bristow school. 

“Something happened here in this community and whatever produced that community commitment is definitely worth analyzing, celebrating, and sharing,” he said. 

Mitchell went on to recognize the work the West Hartford community has done to honor its history, ancestors, and those who came before today’s generation. 

Following Mitchell’s thoughtful words, a member of the Avon Afro Dance Studio provided African dance instruction and had attendees of all ages swinging their hips, tapping their feet, and moving to the rhythm. 

T’Challa Williams, a best-selling author and member of the Greater Hartford Arts Council, then performed three moving pieces of spoken word. Her pieces, Longevous, Level Up, and Proclamation, were each powerfully and purposefully spoken with rhyming, alliteration, and dynamic techniques to tell stories, call the audience to action, and empower listeners through impassioned poetry.

After the moving performance, the celebration honored the young musicians of West Hartford. Lyric Bryant, Kayshawn Savage, and Emma Billings all took the stage to once again bring the audience to their feet. 

Before the celebration finished, the event made sure to honor the legacy and work of community leader Earl Exum who passed October 2023. 

Kaleea Alston-Griffin, president of the West Hartford African American Social and Cultural Organization (WHAASCO), offered words for Exum, the former president of WHAASCO. 

“Earl was dedicated, passionate, and a committed leader. He was able to connect with people on a personal level, often motivating and encouraging those who knew him. In every project that he held, he brought a level of excellence that set a high standard for all of us,” she said. 

“Let us remember Earl, not just in our hearts but in our actions, striving every day to make a positive impact and achieve the excellence he inspired in us. Earl Exum will be greatly missed, but never forgotten,” she said. 

Between tears, Adrienne Billings-Smith, the chair of West Hartford’s Juneteenth celebration, emphasized that there would be no Juneteenth celebration nor proclamation in West Hartford if not for her dear friend Exum. 

She then unveiled a touching painting of Exum and his wife, Tammy, who represents the 19th District in the State House. 

After the touching ceremony, the final performer, Nekita Waller had the audience up and dancing for one final time to close out the day.

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