Freedom came for enslaved African-Americans in Galveston, Texas, when federal army troops arrived on June 19, 1865 and told them they were free. The news of President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation of Jan. 1, 1863 that freed enslaved people in all Confederate states had not reached these 250,000 enslaved people.
This date, June 19, 1865, became “Juneteenth” and is now a federal holiday and a time to remember.
The fifth annual Juneteenth celebration presented by Game Changers of Middlesex County was well-attended, entertaining and informative.
Juneteenth 2025 was a happy celebration at St. Clare Walker Middle School. Vendors set up in the cafeteria. The auditorium was brought alive with a variety show of dance, music, and reflections on the struggles for freedom.
Shelia Watson led the audience in “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” which is often referred to as “The Black National Anthem.”
Unity
A featured speaker, Eric Benjamin, told the audience, “Freedom is not free.” It must be protected.
“On this important Juneteenth as we honor and celebrate its profound significance I want to leave you with this thought,” said Benjamin. “Unity is about the good of everyone, not only a selected few. Whatever you stand for on the issues, whatever you believe in your heart, and however you formulate your plan to protect your freedom and your rights remember this core principle: Our differences aside, if your purpose is truly pure and your heart rings true, you’ll see that it is not about just you and me. Let’s make our voices loud and clear shouting for freedom to echo to everyone and amid all the joy and the commemoration, let America know, unequivocally, all people matter. As the Game Changers motto says, We are not here to play the game we are here to change it.”
History
Bessida Cauthorne White, a Jamaica resident, told the audience that more than 80 Black men from Middlesex County joined the Union Navy or the Union Army. One group of enslaved men turned themselves in to a Union ship that was anchored off of Stingray Point in July 1861 and were among the first Black men to join the Union Navy. Their saga was written up in the New York Herald.
On June 22, 2025 wreaths were placed at the graves of five of these Black men who fought for freedom:
- George H. Harris is buried at Grafton Baptist Church.
- Josh Dudley and Elijah Banks are interred at First Baptist Church Harmony Village.
- At Antioch Baptist Church in Saluda are buried the Rev. Harris, brother of George Harris; and Sam Mayo, who was part of the Union Army that liberated those enslaved in Texas on June 19, 1865.
Bessida Cauthorne White told the audience that some of those families which have been in Middlesex for generations are related to the 80-plus men who fought for the Union.
Performances
Corrine Young read her moving poem about the hard life of enslaved people.
Middlesex Charger cheerleaders performed two routines.
Performing routines were ballroom dancers Angela and Steven Taylor, The Vibe Squad, a group of Middlesex County youth performed under the direction of Sarina Bagby, a Line Dance Routine was performed under the direction of Atoya Thomas. Mya Beverley of Fredericksburg danced in a long flowing outfit that made her look like she was floating.
In addition there was a dance routine by Heaven Savoy and the Worship Praise Dance Ministry of Macedonia Baptist Church of Center Cross.
The emcees were the Rev. Dr. Robert Sutherlin and the Rev. Dr. Teresa Sutherlin of Lebanon Baptist Church in Saluda.
