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CELEBRATING JUNETEENTH Celebrating Freedom and Recognizing Black History in the Rio Grande Valley b y Ji l l i a n Ca m e r on | p h ot os p r ov i d e d
RGVISION MAGAZINE
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MAY/JUN 2023
Slavery officially ended in the United States on June 19, 1865. Federal troops came to Texas to deliver the important message of the Emancipation Proclamation, occurring two years prior. This news meant freedom for all slaves. That day became known as “Freedom Day,” “Emancipation Day,” and most commonly, “Juneteenth.” The goal of Village in the Valley is to connect people across the Rio Grande Valley. Village in the Valley was created in 2019 by Dr. Theresa Gatling, physical therapist and co-pastor, her husband Pastor Alphonzo Gatling, Masha Terry, RN, and her husband Dr. Onuwa Terry, a
physical therapist. “I believe that it is very important that we remember, as Black Americans, what our ancestors have done and gone through so that we can see how far we've come, we can see our progress, and we can also see what we need to work towards,” Dr. Gatling said. Sabrina Walker Hernandez, President and CEO of Supporting World Hope and bestselling author of “SuccessOnomics,” serves on the boards of directors for Village in Valley and is part of the Juneteenth celebration planning committee.
