Celebrate Juneteenth in Fort Worth with a Festival of Freedom
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“The people of Texas are informed that in accordance with a Proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves…” - General Gordan Granger On June 19, 1865, General Granger administered General Order No. 3 from Galveston, Texas as a reinforcement of President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation. After 157 years, “Juneteenth,” a portmanteau of June and 19th, remains a special date, and has since expanded to an international celebration of African American freedom and the Black experience. On June 17, 2021, President Joe Biden invited Fort Worth native Opal Lee to the Juneteenth bill signing. Vice President Kamala Harris clutched an elated Lee’s hand as Juneteenth was officially declared a national holiday. Because of these associations, all eyes are on Fort Worth. Jim Austin, owner
of Austin Company Commercial Real Estate, pillar of the community, and co4
FORT WORTH KEY
June 2022
founder of the National Multicultural Western Heritage Foundation and Museum with his wife Gloria, has created a robust series of celebratory events to commemorate the holiday. The fun kicks off with a Mega-Mixer on Wednesday, June 15, at 5:30 p.m. All are welcome at Troy’s inside Arlington’s Texas Live! for an opportunity to meet like-minded professionals, enrich relationships, and build your brand. June 16 brings “TCC Legends Awards & Fundraiser Gala” at 7 p.m. at Downtown Cowtown at the Isis. The event honors individuals who’ve made a remarkable impact in Tarrant County in the realm of education, arts, business, politics, and more, and will feature music by saxophonist Joseph Vincelli. If you’re tired, get a coffee, because the weekend is just revving up! June 17 at 8 p.m. features Howard Hill’s Yester Day’s Children Show & Revue at Downtown Cowtown at the Isis, a “rip-roaring, foot stomping, Southern Soul and Blues Musical Revue.” The same venue is hosting a stand-out event on Saturday June 18 that features Austin’s cousin, entrepreneur, motivational speaker, and philanthropist Stedman Graham as he conducts two lectures, 1 p.m. for youths and 7 p.m. for adults. Graham is a bestselling author of self-help books and PR industry vet with a rich history working with high-profile clients like Maya Angelou and Winnie Mandela. You don’t want to miss this! Finish off your day by heading to Cowtown Coliseum for the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo, a touring exhibition of top talent in the Black rodeo community. June 19 polishes off the weekend in a big way with the musical “Finally, Free at Last,” written and directed by Dion Hood.
