By Journal Staff Writer
When African Americans in Galveston, Texas received the news they were officially freed from slavery, disbelief hit first because freedom from slavery had been talked about for several hundred years, with the end result always being slavery was still in place. But the bearers of the news were the United States military, which added credibility to that news.
Instantly, celebrations occurred, but soon after those celebrations, the reality of what happens next, quickly dawned upon them.
Fast-forward to June 19, 2026, particularly at the Wayman Palmer YMCA, 200 E. Bancroft, where the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, NAACP, were hosting a Juneteenth celebration, but more importantly, a “what happens next,” in the lives of the descendants of those slaves.
Entertainment, food, vendors, free health screenings and various types of activities, including a massive line dancing moment, filled the campus of the center.
The youth committee of the NAACP were signing up youth to help fulfill that question of, “What happens next.”
“Today is about a celebration and a unification,” Darlene Seeney Newbern, president of the local chapter of the NAACP, told The Toledo Journal. “We wanted to bring this celebration to the heart of the community and celebrate that freedom and celebrate our culture that has evolved over the years. We want people to leave with pride and a determination to keep fighting for justice.”
A big part of that fight starts with being healthy. Evelyn Wilson, instructor for “Women on the Move,” heads up the group who use dancing as a way of improving health. Composed of women of all ages, they showed people in attendance that exercising doesn’t have to be dreadful or boring, but instead, something fun that simultaneously improves health conditions.
“I love this event,” said 17 year old Jayvier Powell. “I’d really like to see more young people attend and participate in this event. I believe if more people were involved, they would leave more confident in themselves.”
“The last of our people were freed on this day, so we should celebrate it,” said 13 year old Dondria Wilford. “I’d really love to see more White people come to this event so they can see that we have a lot to offer.”
Nikola Welcome was born in England and raised in the Caribbean and said Juneteenth is new to her. “Although I wasn’t born and raised in this country, Black people in England and the Caribbean know the struggles that all Black people have to endure. Juneteenth celebration is something we would all welcome.”
