Black Heritage Council Hosts Juneteen Event in Port City – WKRG News 5

MOBILE, Alabama (WKRG) — For much of the African-American community and members of the Black Heritage Council, Saturday afternoon was a lively one as Africatown hosted its first ever Juneteenth event. Filled with music, cultural costumes, and hymns, the committee wanted to not only celebrate Juneteenth, but also educate people about its significance in the port city.

The Juneteenth celebration lasted for hours in the auditorium of the Historical Mobile County Training School.

Robert Battles Sr. of the Black Heritage Council says mobile has a rich history that people may not know.

“There are over 3,500 Africans in Mobile County that no one knows about,” Battles said. “And today we are trying to show the relationship between African and African-American culture.”

Even some city officials, like Mobile District 2 City Councilman William Carroll, took time out to celebrate Juneteenth with their communities.

“Hello Mobile City,” he said to the audience.

For many it was a celebration, but Battles wants to remind people of the importance of Juneteenth.

“This is very important. When Abraham Lincoln wrote the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, it took two years for Major Granger to board Galveston to let the African Americans know they were free.” Because it was the year 1865,” Battles explained.

According to Battles, the next Juneteenth event will begin next Saturday at the Flava’s Lounge on Wilson Avenue in Pritchard.