Doylestown Juneteenth event set: 'I feel like it’s important that people realize they’re not alone'
Growing up, Adrienne King remembers the long bus rides with her mom, every Sunday, from Warminster to Broad and Olney, to attend church in Philadelphia.
It was an exhausting round trip, but as a young Black girl growing up in the predominately white suburbs of Bucks County, she craved a sense of belonging and connection to the Black community.
“I grew up in Warminster and I don’t know if I ever saw anyone that looked like me in any role as I was growing up. And it almost made me create a split identity. A lot of the stuff we did culturally was in Philadelphia or somewhere away from here,” said King, who now lives in Perkasie with her husband and two daughters.
King explained how many Black families move to the suburbs searching for a better life, but feels too often that move comes at a cost, leaving behind what she called “a more culturally embracive community.”
“I think we should bring a part of that culture with us, and not just within the four walls of your house. I think we should bring it with us, so that the broader community can be a part of it and see it and appreciate it and get comfortable with it, because it is an aspect of who we are, and we shouldn’t always have to assimilate to the things that are around us,” said King, founder of The PairUP Society.
It is one of the reasons why King, along with Angela Nutter and Kevin Leven, formed a planning committee to hold an outdoor Juneteenth celebration at the Mercer Museum in Doylestown Borough on June 19.
Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Juneteenth Independence Day, has been celebrated for more than 150 years, originating in Texas, a year after enslaved people in Galveston had been informed of their freedom on June 19, 1865. The news that the Civil War had ended and the enslaved were now free came more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863.
Observance of Juneteenth has continued to grow around the nation and world, and as of last year, is recognized as a U.S. national holiday.
Nutter said she felt cultural events, like this Juneteenth celebration, provide an opportunity to bring together the Black community and build a greater sense of belonging.
“I feel like it’s important that people realize they’re not alone,” said Nutter, who lives in Doylestown Borough. “My parents moved us up here in the early 80s and we never felt like we belonged. My father was a businessman and was never taken seriously because people could never imagine that he’d ever be a successful businessman in his own right. And it was a common theme throughout our lives that we didn’t belong here.”
“I want the younger people to understand they do belong, and they are a part of this community, they can shape it and mold it to what it needs to be. I think we aspire to make people realize they have a place here and this is their community, too,” she added.
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A sense of belonging is felt through cultural representation which, for the Black community, isn’t always visible in the central and upper Bucks areas, said King.
It’s an issue organizers hope to address as they bring together vendors and organizations from the local Black community, with a focus on economic and community empowerment.
“I think this an opportunity to bring all those groups together, so that we can see that there is representation. That’s going to be impactful for a lot of Black people that live here to come out and say, ‘This is an event for me. Things I identify with or connect with are right here in this community,” said King.
In addition to economic and community empowerment, the organizers said the event will focus on educating and building an awareness around Juneteenth and its historical significance.
“Eliminating ignorance is how we knock down a lot of walls. It is a community event, and we want people to come and learn. And that’s why we have these wonderful, historical resources that are going to be here to present and to provide information,” explained Nutter, adding the African American Museum of Bucks County is giving a presentation that will include a reading and reenactment of the Emancipation Proclamation.
Leven hopes the event will provide a much-needed break for the Black community and its allies to celebrate freedom and achievement, while uplifting Black individuals and leaders.
“This isn’t about activism; this isn’t about anything political,” said Leven, who is a co-leader of the Bucks County Anti-Racism Coalition.
“But while there’s a time to push and continue to strive for equality and not just freedom, there’s also a time to leave the struggle behind and to acknowledge how far we’ve come. That’s also a part of it — not just looking back in struggle, but also in joy. I’m taking off my activist hat and putting on my party hat for this,” he added.
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The celebration is a family-friendly event featuring live music, kids activities, vendors and food trucks, where all our welcome, explained King.
“While our intent is to center the Black voice, the Black community, Black leader, Black business, we know . . . a part of our community is our allies, of all cultures and all races, so we want everyone to come together on that day,” she said.
The event is organized by The PairUP Society, Bucks County Anti-Racism Coalition, NAACP Bucks and the African American Museum of Bucks County, in partnership with Mercer Museum and Fonthill Castle in Doylestown through the help of Marjan Shirzad, chief operating officer, and Rachel Cara, community programs coordinator.
"The Mercer Museum, operated by the Bucks County Historical Society, is honored to be working with our community partners to host this year's commemoration of Juneteenth in the heart of Doylestown's Cultural District," said Shirzad.
"As a community resource and historic landmark, we look forward to providing a welcoming and celebratory atmosphere on the green of the Mercer Museum, and commemorating the day with free live performances and family-friendly educational activities, as well as food trucks, vendors and artisans," she added.
The celebration is free to the public and will be held rain or shine. In the event of rain, it will be hosted inside the Mercer Museum and under tents. Shuttle service is available from the county parking garage located at the corner of East Court and Broad streets.
Live entertainment includes music by Doylestown singer-songwriter Shalom Mukamuri, tracks mixed by DJ Tone Arm, and performances by Second Baptist Church of Doylestown Choir and Praise Dancers.
Go: Juneteenth Celebration at the Mercer Museum is on Sunday, June 19 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 84 S. Pine St. in Doylestown. More information at: facebook.com/BucksJuneteenth
More Juneteenth events in the area:
2nd Annual Lower Bucks Juneteenth Celebration, Bristol Borough
When: June 19 at noon
Where: Bristol Waterfront Park, Mill and Radcliffe streets in Bristol Borough.
More information: facebook.com/events/1081528219089613?active_tab=about
3rd Annual Juneteenth Celebration, Lansdale
When: June 18 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Memorial Park, 300 E. Main St. in Lansdale
More information: facebook.com/events/698296854741992?ref=newsfeed
This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: 2022 Juneteenth event in Doylestown celebrates local Black community
