Celebrate Juneteenth in Lexington with a week of community events
The 5th Annual Juneteenth Freedom Celebration in Lexington, promises a week of meaningful events dedicated to honoring African American history and fostering community unity. Hosted in partnership with Anything for Our Youth Group, Davidson County Historical Museum, Black Butterfly Network-Lexington, Lexington Library genealogy division, Tonya Lanier obituary project, Friends of the Lexington Library, and the local genealogy society, the celebration will feature a range of activities designed to engage and educate citizens about the rich history and cultural heritage of African Americans in our community.
Thursday, June 13, 2024 – Open House at Lexington Public Library
5:00 p.m. at the Lexington Public Library Annex located at 612 S. Main Street Lexington.
Kicking off the celebration with an open house at the Lexington Public Library Annex. Tonya Lanier will introduce the obituary project, encouraging attendees to bring copies of obituaries of family members, community leaders, and others from our African American communities to contribute to this preservation effort. The Davidson County Historical Museum will promote the African American Heritage Project, offering walk-in scanning sessions for photos of African American families, neighborhoods, churches, and schools to be included in the museum's digital photography collection. Additionally, the library’s genealogy division will assist with general genealogy research and provide information on marriage licenses and records. The local genealogy society will be on-site to recruit new members and share information. The Friends of the Lexington Library will be accepting membership applications.
Friday, June 14, 2024 – Historic Graveyards Exploration Pamphlets
Pick up your pamphlets at the Lexington Visitor Center (Tourism Authority) located at 2 N. Main Street or at the Lexington Public Library. The pamphlets will detail historic and former enslaved gravesites/cemeteries throughout Davidson County. These pamphlets will guide you in exploring our community's rich history.
Saturday, June 15, 2024 – Countywide Gravesite Exploration
Using the provided pamphlets, community members are encouraged to visit various historic gravesites throughout the county. Please note that some graveyards are private property, and permission must be obtained before entering. A memorial service will be held at Pilgrim Reformed United Church of Christ, 2847 City Lake Rd in Lexington at 11:00 a.m. Descendants and family members are welcome to bring grave décor and memorabilia.
Sunday, June 16, 2024 – Juneteenth Celebration Service
11:00 a.m. at St. Stephen United Methodist Church located at 100 E. 1st Street in Lexington.
Join us for a special Juneteenth celebration service at St. Stephen United Methodist Church, led by Rev. Dr. Arnetta Beverly.
Monday, June 17, 2024 – Open Dialogue on Local Black Neighborhoods and Communities
6:00 p.m. at Arts Theatre 202 located at 202 N. Main Street in Lexington.
Participate in a panel discussion about the history of local black neighborhoods and communities. The panel discussion will feature a moderator and guest speakers, followed by a public question and answer session.
Wednesday, June 19, 2024 – Juneteenth Reflection
We encourage family and friends to take this day to reflect, review and refine our future in honor of Juneteenth.
The Sponsors include: Lexington (NC) Utilities, Arts Davidson County, Davidson Local, Food Lion Feeds, and Walmart Neighborhood.
This Juneteenth, let’s strengthen our bond, celebrate diversity and commit to supporting one another. Together, we can build a future where everyone is valued and respected.
For more information, please contact: Tina Royal, Director, Anything for Our Youth Group, Inc.
