Letter to the Editor: Juneteenth celebration a resounding success

Dear Editor:

We'd like to say "Thank You!" to all of the people, organizations, and businesses who made the First Annual Juneteenth Celebration in Kingston such a resounding success.

Thanks so much to all of you who provided your valuable time, talents, donations, and support, including: Alderman Elisa Ball, Debra Burger, Reverend Evelyn Clarke, Reverend G. Modele Clarke, Mayor Shayne Gallo, Congressman Chris Gibson, David Menzies, Esther Taylor-Evans, State Senator Cecilia Tkaczyk, Teresa Washington (winner of our first Community Award for her Read and Write program, which lights the torch of literacy for many children who might not otherwise have been reached), Dr. A.J. Williams-Myers, the Kingston
branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW), Citizen Action of New York, Cloud Breakers Society, Family Services of Poughkeepsie, New Progressive Baptist Church, the New Pro Choir & Musicians led by Dennis Washington, the New Pro Dancers, Move to Amend Ulster County, Red Feather Singers, Sadie Peterson Delaney African Roots Library of Poughkeepsie, The
Tibetan Center, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Catskills (UUCC) Social Justice Committee, Woodstock Jewish Congregation (WJC) Task Force to End the New Jim Crow, Adams Fairacre Farms, Armadillo Restaurant, Boice Brothers Dairy, Hannaford, Kings Pizza, Meredith's Bread, Mint Restaurant, Mother Earth's Storehouse, and Rosita's Restaurant.

Juneteenth is a celebration of the end of slavery and has deep roots and a long history in African-American communities around the country. See juneteeth.com for more details.

Come help us plan next year's event, and other actions. The Kingston chapter of the End the New Jim Crow Action Network (ENJAN) meets twice a month, on every second and fourth Tuesday, from 6 to 8 PM, at the New Progressive Baptist Church, 8 Hone Street, Kingston.

Susan Holland and the entire Juneteenth Planning Committee
Kingston