National Juneteenth Observance Foundation 2nd Annual Jazz, Spoken Word, and Arts Grassroots Fest June 4, 2011 ‘A Juneteenth Jazz Tribute to Ghalib Ghallab and the late Monk Montgomery’ “June Is Black Music Month!” – CELEBRATING JUNETEENTH JAZZ – “Preserving Our African American Jazz Legacy!”
West Las Vegas Library Theater 951 W. Lake Mead Blvd. |
Las Vegas NV 89019 |
National Juneteenth Observance Foundation is campaigning to have Juneteenth Independence Day, recognized as a national holiday or day of observance, similar to Flag Day. Juneteenth is currently recognized in 36 states, (Mississippi Texas, Florida, Oklahoma, Delaware, Alaska, Idaho, Iowa, California, Wyoming, Illinois, Missouri, Connecticut, Louisiana, New Jersey, New York, Colorado, Arkansas, Oregon, Kentucky, Michigan, New Mexico, Virginia, Washington State, Tennessee, Massachusetts, North Carolina, West Virginia, South Carolina, Vermont, Nebraska, Kansas, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Indiana) and the District of Columbia. Legislation is scheduled to be presented in Congress in the next session for national recognition.
The National Juneteenth Jazz, Spoken Word & Arts Grassroots Fest will be held Saturday, June 4, 2011. Open to the public, the free event is planned as family oriented with poetry, art and jazz. The focus of the festival will be to advocate for the passage of legislation to establish Juneteenth as a state and national holiday observance in Nevada. The National Juneteenth Observance Foundation will host the all-day event at the West Las Vegas Library.
The day will begin with the raising of the Juneteenth Flag signaling the beginning of the 2011 season of national events to educate the community, and the nation, on Juneteenth. The Nevada chapter of the Buffalo Soldiers has been invited to participate in this portion of the day’s ceremonies, along with area dignitaries.
The objective of the festival is to promote the Juneteenth Holiday campaign while providing a day of education and entertainment. Signatures will be solicited for forwarding to the President Barack Obama at the White House.
The African American community will benefit from increased awareness of their heritage and advancements since June 19, 1865. Juneteenth began as African-American celebrations marking the freeing of slaves in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865. The holiday's name is a blend of June and nineteenth. Although President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on Sept. 22, 1862, news of the end of slavery didn't reach frontier areas, particularly in the Southwest, for another 2½ years.
Please! Voice your support to make Juneteenth a National Day of Observance
Thank You!
Send a Letter to your senators today
Ask your friends to support the recognition of Juneteenth as a National Day of Observance
Dee Evans
Nevada State Director
National Juneteenth Observance Foundation