The Shadow
“Several people commented on how dynamic the speakers were and I observed a lot of smiling faces, so I feel the event went well,” said Lamona West, Co-Chair of the Juneteenth Committee, about Clifton Forge Main Street’s 3rd annual Juneteenth Celebration, last Monday.
The theme of this year’s event was Education, Inspiration, and Prosperity with keynote speakers for each of the pillars. Marie Fitzpatrick, Alleghany Highlands School Board, spoke on education; The Honorable Onzlee Ware, Circuit Court 23rd Judicial District Judge, Roanoke, spoke on Inspiration; and Vincent Wyatt, Athletic Director, Mountain Gateway Community College spoke on Prosperity.
The program opened with a welcome and overview of the Juneteenth Holiday history by Committee Co-Chair and Mistress of Ceremony LaShonda Ochieng, followed by a prayer by Co-Chair Dominique Washington.
Chuck Unroe, Clifton Forge Town Manager presented the Juneteenth flag, and it was raised on a flagpole donated and placed by the Town of Clifton Forge. Washington, Scout Leader to Boy Scout Troop # 2, raised the flag as Isreal Washington gave a history and description of the Flag.
After Unroe read and presented a resolution presenting the Flag from the Clifton Forge Town Council to West, the Resurrecting Praise Community Choir of Alleghany County and White Sulpher Springs, WV led the audience in singing, “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” dubbed as the Negro National Anthem in 1919 by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. They later closed the program by singing, “O Happy Day.”
“Juneteenth is a celebration of commemoration, hope, and love,” began Fitzpatrick. She followed this with a history of Black Americans from 1865 until today. “Our challenge today is to be involved in the education process and not expect schools to fully nurture and educate our children. It is an interactive process that requires the school system to provide diversity, equity, and inclusion practices to ensure that all students’ needs are met,” added Fitzpatrick. She encouraged parents to “change the way we talk to and around our children; to be seen at school functions, other than sports; to encourage our children to embrace and excel in all aspects of school, and to attend school board meetings.” She closed by highlighting the differences between a teacher and an educator.
“Slavery is wrong period, you can’t make it right,” began Ware. “We came to this country enslaved but it’s not so much where I come from but what I’m doing,” added Ware. He gave a brief overview of his upbringing, from being raised by his mother to being “a lot of firsts.” He was the first African American Juvenile Domestic Relations Judge and now the first AA Circuit Court Judge. “We cannot go further in peace, which is the goal if we don’t come together,” said Ware. He explained that though he is treated well, he’d like to see “more black people in a room.” “This country should reflect our population, with no judgment because love does not require judgment,” said Ware in conclusion.
“Prosperity today has nothing to do with what is in your bank account or in your pockets,” said Wyatt. He later opined that while we all need money to survive, we should not be consumed or defined by it. He encouraged the audience to “lead with an open mind” for true prosperity and everything else would follow. Wyatt believes to be prosperous one has “to acknowledge who we are, put in the work, be completely honest with everything around us, be intentional about what we seek, and very aggressive about how we put out our energy into the world.” “Be whoever you want to see,” added Wyatt in closing out the speakers ‘portion of the program.
Jeff Irvine, Clifton Forge Mayor, gave acknowledgments and “recognizes Juneteenth as a way to build America’s future, together”. He also thanked the organizers for “all the hard work done for the event.”
West thanked CFMS for supporting and sponsoring the day, the Town for their Public Works Department, the donation of the flag, and coming to speak. Council Member Debbie Laudermilk was also in attendance. West also thanked the speakers, Country Garden Florist, Bear Mountain Signs, Bartley’s Meat Market, MGCC, Boy Scout Troop # 2, RPCC, DJ CMilli, D&G Wonderland, Alleghany Highlands Community Services Board, Brayley and Thompson, The Clay Cauldron, Executive Tent, Heather’s Jewelry, Deb’s Lemonade, Washington on the smoker, Main Street Missionary Baptist Church Youth Group, and Namaste 24/7. And, she couldn’t leave without thanking the individuals and churches that provided monetary donations, the Committee Members: Mott Altherholt, Washington, Keisha Jordan, Pamela Marshall, Oeching, Susan Hutchinson, Bosco Williams, and God that the rain held off for the biggest portion of the event.
