The Stand
Brenda Muhammad, The Stand Community Correspondent, visited the 2012 Juneteenth Celebration Saturday, June 16, in Clinton Square, to chat with attendees. Here she shares a handful of Q&As with those who attended, volunteered or worked at the annual celebration, starting with 8-year-old Denim Hall.
Name: Denim Hall
Age: 8
Hometown: Syracuse
Occupation: First Grade Student at Van Duyn
How many Juneteenths have you attended? One
What is your favorite part about Juneteenth? The games!
What does Juneteenth mean to you? Fun!
Name: Senta Tigner-Nelson
Vendor: Kinard Family Reunion
Age: 48
Hometown: Syracuse
Occupation: President of Syracuse Chapter of the Kinard Family Reunion
How many years have you vended at Juneteenth? Twelve. We started at South Avenue. We are raising money for our upcoming family reunion which will be hosted in Syracuse this year.
What is your favorite part about Juneteenth? The music, seeing people getting out and having a good time, especially eating and singing.
What does Juneteenth mean to you? [It] means a lot. Families coming together celebrating knowing that we are free!
Name: Derek Jorden
Age: 23
Hometown: Syracuse
Occupation: Event Planner
How many Juneteenths have you attended? 10
What is your favorite part about Juneteenth? The Music “Gospel”
What does Juneteenth mean to you? Freedom, Liberty, Youth, Family and Unity
Name: Michelle Farrow (53) & Shaniya Jackson (9)
Hometowns: Syracuse
Occupation: Michelle (unemployed) Shaniya (student)
How many Juneteenths have you each attended? Nine
What is your favorite part about Juneteenth? Michelle: Music, Entertainment, Food and just being around people.
Shaniya: Everything
What does Juneteenth mean to you? Michelle: Everything; [it’s] something African-Americans can enjoy.
Shaniya: I don’t know.
Michelle: I’ll tell her all about Juneteenth.
Name: Lonnie Johnson
Age: 51
Hometown: Syracuse
Occupation: President of Syracuse Fire Fighters Association Local 280
How many Juneteenths have you attended? 12
What is your favorite part about Juneteenth? Cooking for Fire Fighters, Families and Friends.
What does Juneteenth mean to you? Time to show togetherness and love for one another.
Name: Michelle Rohadfox
Hometown: Syracuse
Occupation: Asset Servicing
How many Juneteenths have you attended? Six
What is your favorite part about Juneteenth? Seeing people you haven’t seen in a long time.
What does Juneteenth mean to you? Freedom
Name: Paris Hart
Age: 43
Hometown: Syracuse
Occupation: Retired
How many Juneteenths have you attended? One
What is your favorite part about Juneteenth? Being with my firefighter buddies. They got control of everything.
What does Juneteenth mean to you? We finally have something so our people can get together and enjoy our heritage. Hopefully they understand what Juneteenth means as a whole. Come together without violence and stay together.
