Wake Forest to have joyous Juneteenth this year

The Northeast Community Coalition is partnering with the Town of Wake Forest to host Wake Forest’s 2023 Juneteenth Celebration on Friday and Saturday, June 16 and 17.
Free and open to the public, the two-day event will officially get underway with a “Community Gathering” Friday, June 16, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Taylor Street Park, 416 N. Taylor St. Offering food, fun, and fellowship, the occasion will allow attendees to interact with one another and experience the Taylor Street Park Sprayground. From there, attendees can proceed to the soon-to-open Wake Forest Food Hall, 303 E. Roosevelt Ave., to purchase dinner from various food trucks that will be onsite.
The festivities resume Saturday, June 17, with a “Freedom Walk” that begins and ends at The Dubois Center, 518 N. Franklin St. Anyone wishing to participate is encouraged to assemble at 11 a.m. The Freedom Walk is scheduled to end at noon.
Following the Freedom Walk, the family-friendly celebration will continue at The Dubois Center until 3:30 p.m. with a variety of free food, music, and giveaways, plus a local horse demonstration. The Ailey Young House, 320 N. White St., will also be open to visitors.
The Juneteenth festivities will conclude with “An Evening with Eugene Brown” from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre, 405 S. Brooks St. Brown, a motivational speaker and founder of the Big Chair Chess Club, will deliver a motivational speech and play chess with attendees.
Brown’s journey is depicted in the movie “Life of a King.” The film shares the true story of Brown who founded a chess club in the inner city of Washington, DC, as a way to keep teenagers off the streets and teach the philosophical significance of the game of chess. In the movie, the role of Eugene Brown is portrayed by actor Cuba Gooding, Jr.
Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States. The occasion celebrates African American freedom and achievement, while encouraging continuous self-development and respect for all cultures. For more information about Wake Forest’s 2023 Juneteenth Celebration, visit https://bit.ly/WFJuneteenth or email Tilda Caudle at wwtmm53@gmail.com.
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