ALL IN ON THE JOURNEY TO JUNE TEENTH

BY SAVANNAH EVANOFF

Last year's Journey to Juneteenth in Pensacola was a product of Councilwoman Teniadé Broughton asking a whole lot of "Hey, could you do something for Juneteenth?"

This year it's been a lot less "could" and lot more "What are we doing for Journey to Juneteenth?"

"We were able to get more interest and more support this year than before," Broughton said.

Continuing last year's theme and following suit with the State of Florida's recommendation, Pensacola will host its second annual expansive series of events under the umbrella theme Journey to Juneteenth.

Broughton grew up celebrating Juneteenth and is excited about helping the city expand its involvement.

"If we're talking about Juneteenth or emancipation, it has to be a celebration," Broughton said. "Too often, we get stuck in that story and not reflecting on the point that we were emancipated, how about that? It's a way to allow people to celebrate overcoming, to me, is what this Journey to Juneteenth does. We are revisiting these phases of segregation and oppression and reintroducing them to people through a unifying approach."

Considering what's been happening recently in Florida legislature and talk of people "boycotting Florida," Broughton was concerned people wouldn't want to participate this year.

She's relieved that not only is Pensacola "all in" on this year's celebration, but also that Mayor D.C. Reeves is—he's even hosting his own event. It's a Pensacola Bay City Ferry tour of Fort Pick- ens, which Broughton said is now recognized as a site on the Underground Railroad.

"We have the park ranger giving a tour about the freedom seekers there, and we'll actually be able to see where they escaped and hear the stories about their escape, and what motivated them to drop everything and run," Broughton said.

Pensacola's Place

This year's Journey to Juneteenth events aren't just about emancipation overall, but also Pensacola's journey as it relates to the origins of emancipation, Broughton said.

"It takes the story of Pensacola being the oldest city settled by Europeans; it shows our place in it," Broughton said. "So I didn't just take it from slavery and the Civil War. Although we were in bondage under all these flags, all of the Pensacola Five Flags, I wanted to have something that at least highlights what it was like under those flags and how we expressed the desire for freedom."

As an example, Broughton pointed out "Good Sense: A Rabbit Tale Puppet Show," which will share a story from the French-speaking Caribbean. This ties to Pensacola, because many people who left Haiti surrounding the Haitian Revolution came here, she said.

"The rabbit was a trickster character, and the trickster during slavery was very important," Broughton said. "Because not only was he considered so smart and adept that he could fool the people who held him in bondage, enslaved Africans—even after slavery—would tell the stories of the trickster and it was a way to keep hold of African folk tales, because that's where it came from."

Broughton appreciates how the story has been passed through Black diaspora, she said.

"The fact we still have a story today to tell shows people's intuit, and also commitment to collective memory," Broughton said. "And so for me, it's not just, 'Hey, we're going out and we're gonna have some drinks or we're gonna go to a party or we're gonna go to see some acts;' it's really telling the story of a people."

Many of the events are happening at sites directly related to slavery and freedom, Broughton said.

One of the biggest events is the Watson Family Foundation's second annual Family Reunion at Museum Plaza, just behind the Pensacola Museum of History.

"For me, the poetry in that is that the museum was named after a man who was revealed as a part of the (Ku Klux) Klan," Broughton said. "But now we are actually having a Juneteenth event celebrating emancipation right behind that space."

To add to the irony, that building was formerly City Hall, she said.

"Right behind City Hall, you have a huge event, and the name of it is Family Reunion—in a place where the business of the city was once done, where it was legal to keep families apart."

New Connections

This year's Journey to Juneteenth event calendar is also chock-full of new collaborations and festive concepts.

Broughton is particularly excited about how the Pensacola chapters of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. and the Daughters of the American Revolution will team up to show the movie "Belle." This film explores the story of Dido Belle, the mixed-race daughter of an 18th-century British aristocrat. The collaboration seems appropriate, because a well-known painting exists of Belle with her white cousin Lady Elizabeth Murray.

"For it to come to pass that it will be the Daughters of the American Revolution and 100 Black Women having this event really is that story (of the painting)," Broughton said. "You have these women who probably never met in real life, but in this event that they're hosting together, they'll get to meet each other, greet each other. They have so much in common, and both groups are really excited about the event—so much so that the thing is sold out."

Another noteworthy connection is the two special door wreaths for Juneteenth and Journey to Juneteenth made by local floral designer Olisa Wiggins. They will hang on the doors of two shotgun houses that are now Airbnbs in town.

"They're all connected to Pensacola's emancipation story, because those shotguns were built in 1900," Broughton said. "In each of them, I was able to find the person who was emancipated from slavery or free people of color who lived in that house. So here is the house of a person who experienced emancipation, and you get to stay there and then come celebrate emancipation here with us in Pensacola."

Plan out your personal Journey to Juneteenth schedule with this calendar of upcoming events. To learn more about the events listed, go to visitpensacola.com/juneteenth.

FRIDAY, JUNE 9

When Queens Link Up:

Gallery Night Takeover

5-9 p.m., The corner of Government and S. Palafox St.

"Good Sense: A Rabbit Tale"

Puppet Show

5 or 6 p.m., 309 Punk Project, 309 N. 6th Ave

Enjoy showings of this all-ages puppet performance at 5 p.m. or 6 p.m. at the 309 Punk Project.

THURSDAY, JUNE 22

"My Ancestors' Wildest Dreams"

Art Show Reception

Sanford

Greene: Marvel Comic Artist Talk

6:30 p.m., Voices of Pensacola Multicultural Center, 117 E. Government St.

Join visiting artist Sanford Greene for a discussion and Q&A focused on his career in comic arts and his Mystery Comic series "Bitter Root" set in 1920s Harlem Renaissance. Greene has worked professionally in illustration and related industries for more than 18 years. He has worked for mainline publishers such as Marvel, DC, Dark Horse and Image Comics.

SUNDAY, JUNE 11

When

Queens Link Up:

Focused on Freedom

4-9 p.m., Pensacola Improv Event Center, 375 N. Pace Blvd.

Focused on Freedom is the ninth installment of When Queens Link Up's quarterly social marketplace for woman-owned vendors, business owners, creators, entrepreneurs and the customers they've been dying to meet. More than 20 businesses and brands will be in attendance to nurture your shopping and networking experience. To purchase tickets, visit wqlu9.eventbrite.com.

Ferry Cruise and Fort Pickens History Tour

1 p.m., Downtown Ferry Landing, 750 Commendencia St.

The community is invited to join Mayor D.C. Reeves for a Pensacola Bay City Ferry cruise and history tour of Fort Pickens, in partnership with the National Park Service. This family-friendly event will include a two-hour cruise from downtown Pensacola to Fort Pickens, along with a guided tour of Fort Pickens focused on our region's historical role in the Underground Railroad, in celebration of Juneteenth.

Tickets can be purchased at pensacolabaycityferry.com for $25, and children 2 and younger are free. The ticket includes a two-hour cruise, live narration from an NPS Ranger and a guided tour of Fort Pickens. The ferry features a climate-controlled cabin, concessions available for purchase and restrooms onboard, and it's wheelchair accessible.

FRIDAY, JUNE 16

Juneteenth Themed Adult Crafting

1 p.m., WFPL Downtown Library, 239 N. Spring St. Make a special Juneteenth door hanger craft at the Pensacola Library.

June Gallery Night

5-9 p.m., Palafox Street, between Garden and Main streets

Gallery Night is an all-ages, community, arts and cultural event from 5-9 p.m. on the third Friday of every month. June's Gallery Night will highlight the federal holiday of Juneteenth with special performances, art and food.

For the first time, Gallery Night will incorporate a designated black-owned, female-led marketplace section within the event. Join When Queens Link Up for shopping, swag bags, exclusive discounts and deals. For more on this popup marketplace and When Queens Link Up's other events, turn to page 13.

SATURDAY, JUNE 17

A Family Reunion for the Culture

Noon-6:30 p.m., Museum Plaza, 120 Church St.

The Watson Family Foundation presents the second annual Juneteenth: A Family Reunion for the Culture. This free, family-friendly event will feature a variety of performers, food trucks, desserts, a kids' zone, African clothing, art and many other non-food vendors.

309 Visiting Artist Roscoe Hall

5-10 p.m., 309 Punk Project, 309 N. 6th Ave.

Artist and celebrity chef Roscoe Hall will return to Pensacola to share his art, and maybe even his cooking, with our town as we celebrate Juneteenth. While here, Hall will create a giant painting, which he plans to donate after the event concludes.

Juneteenth Gala

7 p.m., Museum of Commerce, 201 Zaragoza St.

Through live entertainment and an incredible catered dinner, the third annual Juneteenth Gala will celebrate Black success and amazing accomplishments in Black history. General admission is $50. Preferred seating with dinner is $70. For more information, call (850) 206-0538 or (813) 210-7711.

SUNDAY, JUNE 18

A Tune to Juneteenth Brunch

Noon-3 p.m., Black Café and Bookstore, 3498 Dr. Martin Luther King Drive

Join RWR Live 365 for The Tune of Juneteenth Mixtape Journey to Freedom Brunch, featuring local artists and entertainment who will give attendees a live playlist of freedom while everyone enjoys free soul food and fellowship.

Juneteenth Celebration

1-3 p.m., Pensacola State College, 1000 College Blvd., Building 5

Celebrate Juneteenth with storytelling, music, poetry, dance, a free multi-course meal and free sketches by Carter J. Gaston (RSVP required). The event is sponsored by the Pensacola State College Black History Multicultural Committee, Pensacola State African American Student Association (AASA), the African American Heritage Society and Polimatree. For more information and/or to reserve your seat(s), please call (850) 484-4414.

MONDAY, JUNE 19

R&B and Blues Lawn Party

2-7 p.m., Seville Square Park, 311 E. Government St.

This free event will feature live DJs performing classic R&B and blues, two fashion shows, local talent, educational information/skits and food vendors. Each segment will pay homage and tribute to the Juneteenth Jubilee celebrating how far we have come as a city. The event will be family oriented, child-friendly and elderly-friendly. It will celebrate unity, diversity and inclusion.

4-7 p.m., Artel Gallery, 223 Palafox Place

Enjoy art from local Black artists under the theme of "My Ancestors' Wildest Dreams."

Artists exhibiting include Keith Shaw, Devin Bonner, Ashley Gibson, Tiffany Richardson and STOKESWORKZ. Artwork ranges from ceramics to paintings to mixed media and digital designs. The show will be on view through Friday, July 14. Artel Gallery is open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday.

FRIDAY, JUNE 23

Movement For Change

"Freedom is Not Free" Banquet

5-9 p.m., Pensacola Improv Event Center, 375 N. Pace Blvd.

Join Movement for Change at its 26th "Freedom is Not Free" banquet. Wine and cheese social begins at 5 p.m. Banquet begins at 6 p.m. Keynote speaker will be Pastor Brandon Mason of Zion Hope Primitive Baptist Church, speaking about the history of African-American voting rights. Tickets are $50. Call Movement For Change at (850) 432-4411.

Movies in the Park: "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever"

6 p.m. Community Maritime Park Hunter Amphitheater, 301 W. Main St.

Bring your blankets and lawn chairs to Community Maritime Park to watch the family-friendly movie, "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" (Rated PG-13), under the stars. Free event parking is available at Community Maritime Park and City Hall. Concessions from local food trucks may be available for purchase. Picnic baskets are welcome, but no pets or glass containers. Movies are shown at Hunter Amphitheater with grass seating only. Pre-show activities begin at 6 p.m. Movie begins at sunset.

Ongoing Events

Celebrate Juneteenth Menu

Five Sisters Blues Café, 421 W. Belmont St.

Five Sisters' Chef John Huggins is once again offering a selection of Juneteenth features to honor African-American contributions to America's culinary tradition and celebrate Juneteenth. Five Sisters Blues Café will offer special dishes at both lunch and dinner service through Monday, June 19, excluding Sundays. Visit greatsouthernrestaurants.com for menus.

Spirits of Juneteenth Ghost Tour and Meal

Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, Downtown Historic Pensacola

This tour features tales of ghosts, debauchery, murder, mayhem, paranormal activities, history and more. The tour schedule is 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays; and 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Sundays through June 22. Reservations are required. Visit pensacolaghostevents.com for tickets and additional information. {in}