By Gloria DULAN-Wilson
tcstaley@msn.com
267-991-3053
215-869-9688
THE PHILADELPHIA JUNETEENTH FAMILY HOSTS THEIR ANNUAL JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION OF LIBERATION AND UNITY JUNE 2ND - JUNE 19TH 2025 - CELEBRATING 160 YEARS OF LIBERATION
(Philadelphia, PA) -- Greetings All!
Mark your calendars, roll out your Black pride, and get ready to celebrate your heritage as we prepare to COMMEMORATE THE 160th ANNIVERSARY OF JUNETEENTH!
And what more important time to celebrate our heritage than now, with forces trying to undermine, obscure and dismantle all that we've accomplished.
We expect a massive turnout as The Philadelphia Juneteenth Family cordially invites Philadelphians, Pennsylvanians - the entire nation - to support and participate in this joyous, Historic Juneteenth 2025 - 160th Anniversary Celebration and Commemoration.
To commemorate this 160th Anniversary year, we've expanded our celebration, events and activities! So, mark your calendars, get your family, neighbors and friends together and be ready to participate in one of the greatest BLACK HISTORY CULTURAL TRADITIONS: JUNETEENTH 2025 - 160 YEARS OF BLACK EXCELLENCE!
On June 2nd, 2025 - the first Monday in June, at 11:00AM - we kick off our ceremonies by raising our Official National Juneteenth Flag. The National Juneteenth Observance Foundation has designated the first Monday in June as the day of the Official Juneteenth Flag Raising Ceremonies, which take place across the US - including the Nation’s Capital in Washington DC. This marks the beginning of a series of nationwide celebrations through the month of June.
The Philadelphia Juneteenth Family's Flag Raising Ceremony is open to the community and will be held at City Hall's North Apron on Broad and Juniper Streets, starting at 11:00 AM. The event features entertainment and presentations, including such special guests as Kenyatta Johnson, President of Philadelphia City Council, and City Council Member Jamie Gauthier. Gauthier will read General Order #3 - President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation.
This is the infamous proclamation that was delayed by slaveholders for two years, illegally extending slavery in Texas for two years. Upon being read General order #3, which freed the slaves, Juneteenth (June 19th) became the national date of the celebration of freedom from slavery — an important piece of history that everyone - especially Black people – should know and celebrate.
The guest of honor and keynote speaker is Philadelphia's own dynamic and courageous Dr. Movita Johnson Harrell who is a study in resilience:
Movita is featured in the award-winning docuseries “Philly DA” and she is the main character in the award winning “Murders That Matter” by highly acclaimed film maker Marco Williams. The film documents Movita’s work over the course of several years to save young people on both sides of the gun. The film has been nominated for an NAACP Award. On September 20th, 2021, Movita released the first installment of her memoir “Phoenix Ascending: My Rise From The Ashes”. Several hours after its’ release Movita’s memoir became a new “#1 Best New Release”. Over several hundred copies were sold in the first two weeks of the book’s release. Movita chairs several boards and was the 2023 United Nations Ambassador to Geneva Switzerland.
In January of 2018 Movita was appointed Supervisor of Victim/Witness Services and Restorative Justice at the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office by District Attorney Lawrence Krasner, becoming the first Muslim woman appointed to a supervisory law enforcement position in a Pennsylvania prosecutor’s office. Movita created the Philadelphia CARES Model that brought $1.6 million dollars and 15 jobs to the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office to support co-victims of homicide and to prevent retaliation. In the prosecutor’s office Movita created programs including the CVAC (Crime Victim’s Advisory Committee) which organized a committee of twenty crime victims to create victim services policies to better serve people that have been victimized by people and systems. She has even adopted a school of orphans in Africa to help expand her service to victims in the motherland. Her story and energy are compelling and represent one of the many of our people who have emerged and made their contribution over the past 160 years since the beginning of Juneteenth.
Other Philadelphia Dignitaries include Rev. Dr. Malcolm Byrd President, Forum Philly and Pastor of Hope’s Beacon Baptist Church; Imam Farid W. Rasool Amir, President, Majlis Ash-Shula, Gwen Ragsdale, Executive Director and Curator of the Lest We Forget Museum of Slavery; Voffee Jabateh, President of ACANA and Founder/Developer of Africa Town; Anthony Murphy, Executive Director at Town Watch Integrated Services/UNIA ACL RC 2020 President General; Rochelle Bilal, Sheriff of Philadelphia, Council member emeritus Jannie Blackwell, Commissioner Omar Sabir, Kofi Asante, President -Asante and Associates, Attorney Keir Gray, Esq.
The community will be entertained by rhythms from the Traditional African American Drum Society; and inspired by Evangelist Theresa Reid's rendition of our Black National Anthem “Lift Every Voice and Sing." The Sisterly Love Trio (Charlene Holloway, Founder) will also provide musical renditions during the program.
There will be a series of ceremonies celebrating Juneteenth throughout Philadelphia. And during the days of June 17th through the 19th, Philly's skyline will be emblazoned with the "Garvey Freedom Lights," featuring the Black Liberation colors of Red, Black & Green. Each evening, beginning at dusk, the FREEDOM LIGHTS will be reflected on the following sites:
Ben Franklin Bridge, Philadelphia International Airport control tower, Parx Casino, Live! Hotel and Casino, The PECO Crown Lights, Cira Centre South FMC Tower,3151 Market, Liberty Place One and Two, Pennsylvania Convention Center, Lincoln Financial Field, Wells Fargo Center, Citizens Bank Park, In addition, the Greater Philadelphia YMCA will be joining the Garvey Freedom Lights Project at various locations across the city of Philadelphia.
So, get your cameras ready! You will not want to miss this historic tribute!
Since the month of June has been designated Black Peoples Month - with 8 different events commemorating Black History and Progress, The Philadelphia Juneteenth Family will also present a Cabaret and Show, Friday, June 28, 2025, honoring Black Music Month and Caribbean Heritage Month - featuring international recording artist Shirley Lites & Company; and Special Guest Rashaan Rich, from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at Yeadon Borough Hall 600 Church Lane (Church Lane/Bailey Rd).
Additional information will be provided later.
Get ready, Philly! Join us for the 160th anniversary of Juneteenth.
“One People, One Cause, One Destiny”.
NOW THAT YOU KNOW
WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?
Gloria DULAN-Wilson
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