Cities around Wisconsin are celebrating Juneteenth this weekend. June 19 marks the day the last U.S. slaves were set free in Galveston, Texas, in 1865.
Kym Young is the executive coordinator of the Superior African Heritage Community, which is one of the organizers of this year’s events in Superior. Speaking with host Henry Banks on the Wisconsin Public Radio program “People of Color,” Young said Superior held its first Juneteenth celebration last year.
“And it was vitally important because we have a vibrant people of color community here, but it was invisible. It wasn’t seen,” said Young. “Our culture wasn’t felt and we had members telling us they didn’t feel at home. They didn’t feel that we had any cultural connection to the community.”
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Young said Juneteenth seeks to celebrate how far African-Americans have come while promoting awareness of issues with poverty, housing and racial equity in the Twin Ports.
Other cities with celebrations planned include Milwaukee, Madison, La Crosse and Appleton.
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