West Hartford hosted the fifth annual Juneteenth CommUNITY celebration in the Town Hall lot on Saturday afternoon. The event featured song and dance performances, vendors, food and several speakers including Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas.

By Bridget Bronsdon 

Despite some light rain, Friendz World Music commenced the celebration of Juneteenth, getting audience members on their feet for a lively dance and drum performance. The group also took a moment to honor their ancestors and encouraged the crowd to call out the names of loved ones. 

West Hartford Mayor Shari Cantor and Town Councilor Carol Anderson-Blanks were also in attendance and delivered a welcome and proclamation. The town leaders paid homage to the true meaning of Juneteenth and its local context. 

“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 deserve, and by continuing to strive for equity and justice through education, policy and community engagement,” the proclamation read. 

WHPS Student Emma Billings was next to the stage to perform the Black National Anthem. 

Following the touching performance, Adrienne Billings-Smith, the West Hartford director of equity and inclusion, took a moment of silence to honor the late Tracey Wilson who passed away in February. 

The West Hartford town historian, educator and community activist was the town historian and also instrumental in uncovering the names of enslaved individuals in West Hartford and was essential in educating and informing the town of its role in the slavery system. 

Keynote speaker Bobbi Brown, Bridgeport NAACP president and founder of #100girlsleading then delivered a powerful speech, calling attention to the injustices that are still happening in today’s world and how the West Hartford community can continue to fight for equality. 

“June is not just a holiday. It’s a reminder that we are still in this fight. Our ancestors did not give up on that so therefore we shall not give up. They did not leave us behind with nothing. We are continuing the stories of those that were once here before us. They built towns and businesses and legacies that still honor us today,” she said. 

“We will never let wrongdoers be all that we know. Whether it’s police brutality, unfair housing policies, workplace discrimination, we must fight back, not just for ourselves, but for the future generation,” she said. 

Brown finished with a call to action, telling the community that they must “stand together as one” because the “fight is not over.” 

Between speakers and performances, attendees could explore the various vendors featuring clothing, jewelery, accessories and more. Children were also able to participate in a scavenger hunt around the town hall grounds. 

Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas was the final speaker of the event and placed the power in the hands of the people. 

“Juneteenth is about history, but it’s also about right now, the same courage that brought people through the hardest chapters of our lives, live in us today. The power in this country has always come from its people, and that means to you, and that means to me. So don’t wait to be invited in. 
Don’t wait to be told what to do. Speak your truth, help others find their voice, vote in every election,” she said. 

Performances also included instrumental jazz by the Haneef Nelson Trio, songs by Kayshawn “Kay Kay” Savage and A. Marquis, hula hooping by Hood Hula, a youth dance performance by Studio 860, a duet by Lyric Bryant and Billings, and the celebrations finished with a lively performance by Latanya Farrell. 

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