While Juneteenth—a day to commemorate the emancipation of enslaved African Americans across the United States—became a New York State holiday in 2020 and a federal holiday in 2021, the Central New York community has proudly recognized and honored this anniversary since 1988.
This year will be no different, as event organizers like Cora Thomas are once again excited to bring together residents of all backgrounds and ages to honor and embrace Black culture through educational workshops, live music performances and family-friendly events.
Cora Thomas (far left) and the City of Syracuse’s Juneteenth board of directors are excited to honor and embrace Black culture during the city of Syracuse’s 34th annual Juneteenth Cultural Festival.
The city of Syracuse’s 34th annual Juneteenth Cultural Festival takes place June 14-15 in Clinton Square downtown, beginning with the raising of the Juneteenth flag in front of Syracuse City Hall on Friday, June 14. One of the highlights is Saturday’s victory parade, which starts outside of the Dunbar Center at 11 a.m. and concludes in Clinton Square at noon.
“I am passionate about celebrating and preserving our history, and Juneteenth is a powerful symbol of freedom and unity,” says Cora Thomas, WAER-FM’s office manager who serves on the Syracuse Juneteenth board of directors as chair of the ancestral celebration.
“Being part of this committee allows me to contribute to raising awareness and fostering a sense of community and pride. It’s an honor and there’s a wonderful sense of unity as we honor the past and continue to look towards a brighter future.”
This year’s celebration is the third in Syracuse since Juneteenth (June 19) became an acknowledged New York state holiday in 2020.
All musical performances will occur in Clinton Square. The festivities conclude on the actual holiday, June 19, by honoring outstanding community members during the ancestral celebration in the city hall commons atrium. There will also be a Miss Juneteenth Pageant on June 13 at the Community Folk Art Center.
Thomas sat down with SU News to discuss the importance of Juneteenth, how the celebrations have grown over the years and why the victory parade is an “incredibly moving experience.”
Cora Thomas
Juneteenth commemorates the anniversary of the day, June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers brought news of freedom to enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation. Celebrating Juneteenth is crucial because it acknowledges a very important moment in our history, where it honors and recognizes the struggles and achievements of Black Americans, while serving as a reminder of the ongoing fight for equality and justice.”
Our Juneteenth celebrations have grown significantly in terms of participation and scope. Once it became a nationally recognized holiday in 2021, there’s been an increase in community involvement, with more volunteers, sponsors and attendees each year. The range of activities has also expanded, incorporating more educational and cultural elements that highlight the rich history and contributions of Black Americans. It’s heartening to see the event become more inclusive and widely recognized. We’re beginning to right the wrongs of the past to ensure equal justice in the future. I embrace the change.
The victory parade is always an incredibly moving experience. Watching people of all ages and backgrounds come together to march down the main streets of our city to celebrate our shared history and culture fills me with joy, pride and hope. It’s also a powerful reminder of the strength and power of our community. The fellowship that takes place once everyone get to Clinton Square is like a BIG family reunion. Everyone is rejoicing!
