This story was originally published by Capital B Gary.
By Jenae Barnes, Derreka Rollins, Javonte Anderson and Calvin Davis
Capital B Gary
June 19, 2024
On a sunny Saturday morning just days before Juneteenth, Gary’s Midtown neighborhood came alive with excitement. Juneteenth flags fluttered in the breeze, symbolizing a celebration of freedom and unity.
A procession led by dancers, slingshot sports vehicles, and emergency vehicles wound its way from the intersection of 25th Avenue and Broadway to Roosevelt High School. Onlookers, many donning Juneteenth shirts, sat in lawn chairs along the street, watching the spectacle.
Capital B Gary spoke with residents to hear their perspectives on this significant holiday and what it means to them. For many, Juneteenth is not just a date on the calendar; it represents Black resilience, freedom, and a collective memory that reaches back to the days of slavery. It is not just a day of celebration but a time to honor those whose sacrifices paved the way for the progress Black Americans have achieved.
“Juneteenth is a reminder of progress and liberation and of what can happen when we, as a nation and as a people, care about those who are often forgotten, unseen, and unheard,” said Dexter Harris, pastor at Flourish Church. “It signifies our collective strength.”
Juneteenth, celebrated on June 19, commemorates the day in 1865 when Gen. Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, to announce that enslaved African Americans were free, enforcing the Emancipation Proclamation issued two and a half years earlier. This day resonates deeply in Gary, a city with a rich history of African American culture and struggle. It is a reminder of the journey from bondage to liberty and an opportunity to reflect on the ongoing pursuit of equality and justice.
“Juneteenth should be a day for us to remember,” said Eddie Melton, mayor of Gary. “We know that it was 1865 in Texas, and the last group of Black individuals realized that slavery was over. That should be an example to us of how important our freedom is today. That’s why it’s important for the city to sponsor this event — to never forget those who sacrificed so we could be where we are today.”
Celebrating Juneteenth at Roosevelt High School, a national historic landmark in Gary that once represented Black freedom, carries deep significance for many.
“There is no other site in the city more befitting for this event than the historic Roosevelt High School,” said Gary Parks Director LaVetta Sparks-Wade, overlooking the front lawn. “Our hearts are just overwhelmed because all of this is about teamwork.
“The city built Roosevelt High School in response to segregation, and it symbolizes freedom for African American people,” she continued. “This site is emblematic of that freedom.”
The mayor echoed this sentiment. “Roosevelt is the Black mecca epicenter for the city of Gary,” Melton said. “No matter if you went here or not, there’s a certain reverence and respect for this institution.”
For Gary resident Rayden P. Wilson Jr., Juneteenth represents unity and bridging gaps.
“When you think about the freedom from hardship that we need to overcome, with some people still trying to pay us like we’re sharecroppers, we have to understand that we can be the entrepreneurs and the employers instead of always being on the short end of the stick,” Wilson said, as someone began singing “Lift Every Voice” in the background.
Residents like Brandon Peterson, 39, look forward to a day when Juneteenth rivals other holidays in the Black community.
“I think the holiday is a good look for us as a community,” Peterson said. “But for it to get as big as Independence Day, we will have to make it happen ourselves because, even with support from others, it will never be as much as the latter.”
Tamika Babatunde agreed, saying Juneteenth is an ideal time to bring the Black community together.
“Knowing where we come from and what is real out here, which is Juneteenth, it should’ve always been celebrated instead of the 4th of July,” she said.
On the 1000 block of Harrison Street, three vibrant Juneteenth flags proudly protrude from the brick buildings of Pathways Child Care, founded by Georgie Haskins. These flags symbolize a commitment to remembrance and education.
Inside the front window of one day care, a hand-crafted sign by the children centers on a single, powerful word: “Freedom.”
“We realized many of our kids didn’t know about Juneteenth and what it meant,” Haskins said. “So, we started having students do reports and research. For me, Juneteenth is a reality for them. It’s a reality that the struggles our ancestors went through weren’t in vain.
“I want them to understand that because they are free, their freedom wasn’t free.”
Jenae Barnes is Capital B Gary’s health and environment reporter. You can reach Jenae at jenae.barnes@capitalbnews.org.
Derreka Rollins is the Community Engagement Editor at Capital B Gary. Contact Derreka at derreka.rollins@capitalbnews.org.
Javonte Anderson is the editor of Capital B Gary. You can reach Javonte at javonte.anderson@capitalbnews.org.
Calvin Davis is Capital B Gary’s government and politics reporter. You can reach Calvin at calvin.davis@capitalbnews.org.
Capital B is a local-national nonprofit news organization that centers Black voices, audience needs and experiences, and partners with the communities it serves.
