Juneteenth is recognized on the 19th of June, also known as Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, Liberation Day and Emancipation Day. It marks the anniversary of the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Texas learned they had been freed.

All across the United States, Emancipation Day is celebrated annually, and West Volusia is no different. It marks the anniversary of the June 19, 1865, announcement of General Order No. 3 by Union Army Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger, proclaiming freedom from slavery in Texas.

Please mark your calendars for the Unity in the Community Celebration on Saturday, June 17, for a day filled with entertainment and the opportunity to shop, connect and enjoy a great meal between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. at Earl Brown Park in DeLand. The event is sponsored by Sisters Build Network for Girls Inc. (Dr. Primrose Cameron, CEO), the City of DeLand, AdventHealth, Rising Against All Odds, Teresa Rand Consulting, Stetson University, Page Agency Insurance, Caring 4 U Agency, the United Way, Launch Credit Union, The Neighborhood Center, the MainStreet DeLand Association, The West Volusia Beacon, Kinks, Coils & Waves, Man Up Mentoring, and Quality Quickprint.

The delightful entertainment and education will be provided by Dr. Patrick Coggins of Stetson University, Dr. Rajni Shankar-Brown, also of Stetson, the Spring Hill Boys & Girls Club, Destinee Griffin, Sisters Build Network for Girls Inc., members of the Pine Ridge High School Chorus, the St. Annis Praise With a Purpose team, Royal Pointe Dance Academy, The Alley Cats, Fender Love Band and others.

This family-friendly event will include the opportunity to purchase great food, clothes, and an array of unique items. Vendors from Volusia County and beyond will provide an awesome kid zone and information booths that will truly empower our community. Families are encouraged to come out and be a part of what makes unity in our community special.

Then at 4 p.m. we will head over to the baseball field for more community engagement with a friendly softball game among friends from the DeLand Police Department, the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, the Darby family, the King family, Man Up Mentoring, Sisters Build Network for Girls Inc. and others.

We are stronger together! Come on out for the Unity in the Community Celebration on Saturday, June 17. Please contact sistersbuild@primrosecameron.com with any questions.