POTSDAM -- The second annual Potsdam community-wide Juneteenth Celebration was held Saturday at the Ives Park Gazebo, two days after President Biden signed a bill into law to make Juneteenth National Independence Day a federal holiday June 19.

“The Juneteenth Celebration Organizing Committee organized the family-friendly event to celebrate the culture of African-Americans and provide a space for Black voices to be honored,” said member Sherry Long.

“Juneteenth is Freedom Day for African-Americans, a celebration to mark the day when the last remaining American slaves learned they were finally free from bondage,” Long said.

The event includes heritage-rich foods, entertainment, speeches, awards, music, and a fashion show.

Former Crane music student Allison Andre performed songs as a tribute to the late Dr. Lonel Woods, a SUNY Potsdam Crane professor.

Dr. John Youngblood, a SUNY Potsdam professor and a founder of Potsdam’s Black Lives Matter marches, was honored with the Juneteenth Community Activist Award.

[img_assist|nid=301330|title=The crowd at the Juneteenth celebration of African American freedom sings “We are Family.” |desc=|link=none|align=middle|width=1154|height=900]

[img_assist|nid=301332|title=Among the participants celebrating Juneteenth at Ives Park Gazebo June 19 were several boys in the fashion show entertainment. |desc=|link=none|align=middle|width=793|height=900]

[img_assist|nid=301351|title=Crane music student Allison Andre performs songs as a tribute to the late Dr. Lonel Woods at the Juneteenth celebration. Woods was a SUNY Potsdam Crane professor and chair of SUNY Potsdam’s Diversity and Inclusion Action Coalition.|desc=|link=none|align=middle|width=904|height=900]

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