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South St. Petersburg CRA Summer Summit falls on Juneteenth

Megan Holmes

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South St. Petersburg CRA map

The Fourth of July is known as the day of patriotic pomp and circumstance, the celebration of American independence and freedom – but not everyone in the United States became free from tyranny on July 4, 1776. Each year, celebrations take place around the country to commemorate America’s lesser-known (but no less important) independence day.

Juneteenth – shorthand for “June nineteenth” – is a day of remembrance and celebration for those Americans freed from chains.

On this day in 1865, 250,000 enslaved people in Galveston, Texas became free. It happened more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed by President Abraham Lincoln, and five months before the ratification of the 13th amendment to the Constitution, officially abolishing slavery. The celebration marks a rather obscure moment when freedom came to the tip of the Deep South, an island town on the Gulf Coast of Texas.

Despite the fact that Juneteenth celebrations take place throughout the country, you are certainly not alone if you’ve never heard of it. Juneteenth is not taught in mainstream educational curriculum, despite that fact that it is officially recognized in 45 states, and even has a place in the Apple calendar (it’s true, we checked).

Opinions vary as to why Juneteenth remains obscure to white Americans outside of Texas. Though it has been an official holiday in Texas since 1980 (and celebrated since 1865), it goes largely unrecognized throughout the country. Some argue that Juneteenth, like Kwanzaa, is a celebration in black culture only. Others argue that the United States has yet to come to terms with the history of slavery.

Regardless, Juneteenth should commemorate an opportunity for Americans to recommit ourselves to the values that make us great – those that allow good to win out – that call Americans to be our better selves. Values like justice, equality and liberty should be celebrated – and lived out – on Juneteenth.

While the local NAACP celebration took place last Saturday, the City of St. Petersburg is offering another way to celebrate Juneteenth – by convening to make South St. Petersburg stronger. This afternoon at 4:30, city officials and the Citizen Advisory Committee for the South St. Petersburg Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) will host the first CRA Summer Summit at the Enoch Davis Center Auditorium.

The South St. Petersburg CRA is one of the largest CRAs in the state of Florida. The 4,700 acre zone is comprised of a historically African American section of the highly-segregated City of St. Petersburg: Childs Park, most of Midtown, two Florida Main Street Districts, and more than 20 neighborhood and business associations. One of its main components is 22nd St. S, better known as the Deuces Live, the historic African American-owned business district.

CRA Summit attendees will hear from city officials about where redevelopment activities are taking place and provide input and feedback on where funding should be provided in the community. The feedback taken from this meeting and given online will be used to shape the CRA’s budget recommendations to City Council.

On this Juneteenth, bring your voice to the Enoch Davis Auditorium, at 1111 18th Ave. South, St. Petersburg.

More information can be found here.

Online input can be given here.

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