Jackson Parish Celebrates Unique Juneteenth

While there were parades all over the state, the Jackson Parish Branch decided to celebrate in a different way on Monday June 19, 2023. The Branch gave away snow cones and watermelon slices to anyone who stopped by the Signature Lounge, owned and operated by Mr. Shondell Osborne while conducting a membership and voter registration drive. Also, during this time, the branch members had devotion with Dr. Jacqueline Mason reading a scripture from Gal. 5"1' Sister Paulette Belton sang "Wade in the Water" and a prayer was prayed by Dr. Cassandria Peoples. Then our children continued on with, Mack Walker sang "God has Smiled on Me", Tru-Trey Lee Cox and Sanchez Lewis sang "Yes Jesus Loves Me"; Kylie Jacobs and Collins Jones Bradford offered prayers .As the children and adults sat around, they were enlightened and excited about hearing about the Deacons for Defense as only Annie Johnson, former secretary and C.O.R.E. could tell it. She presented those in the room who also were apart of C.O.R.E., Earlene Knox and Betty Brown; and Tammy Bolds, the first Blacks to integrate "Rundall Junior High School, now Jonesboro-Hodge Junior High School. Another person in attendance was Thelma Smith, first black to work in the Clerk of Court's office. Our newest School Board member, Paulette Belton gave us tidbits of what's happening in the schools and what we as citizens and parents should be aware. She emphasized the attendance and participation in the school board meetings. She said it's crucial that we show up and if need be, voice our opinions. Dr, Peoples talked about the importance of mental health and how we all have some mental health issues. She advised us not to be ashamed to seek help with mental health situations you may have. Juneteenth is like Black History Month, it's a holiday that should be celebrated all during the year. Also, called Emancipation Day, Freedom Day or Jubilee Day, Juneteenth is the commemoration of June 19, 1865, the day enslaved African Americans in Galveston, TX, learned that they were free. It's a shame that Blacks didn't learn they were free until June 1865. Read it, it's in the history books, if one person doesn't agree with it and our legislators vote it out of schools and libraries. The Jackson Parish Branch NAACP #6309 will be celebrating Juneteenth later in the year. Stay tuned and we will inform you of the date.