On Thursday, June 13, Macon Black Culture, the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission, Friends of Rosa Parks Square, and other organizations held a Juneteenth Wreath Dedication Ceremony. You can watch the ceremony here. 

“This represents a historic mark going forward in our community,” said Sheknita Smith with Macon Black Culture. “This is one of the best cities to live in, and we’re going to continue to build our community and make it great. The only way to do that is to ensure that everybody has the opportunity to be great in this community.” 

Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, is a significant day in American history. It commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States. This event aims to honor the legacy of Juneteenth and celebrate the progress made towards equality and justice. 

“We can’t erase the history of what happened, nor do we want to,” Smith said. “What we can do is take the power from what has happened to us and continue to move forward and build us.” 

The ceremony was an opportunity to pay tribute to the struggles and triumphs of those who fought for freedom and equality. People who attended has the opportunity to reflect on the past and look towards a future of unity and 

inclusivity.