6th Annual SJM Juneteenth Celebration Of Freedom

“Let Freedom Ring: Celebrating Our Heritage and Continuing the Struggle for a brighter future”

Saturday, June 17th from 12-7 pm

Shady Rest Golf and Country Club, 820 Jerusalem Rd, Scotch Plains

Social Justice Matters (SJM) is planning our sixth Community Juneteenth Celebration, to be held on Saturday, June 17, 2023.  The theme for Juneteenth 2023 is “Let Freedom Ring: Celebrating our Heritage and Continuing the Struggle for a Brighter Future.” Juneteenth has a multiplicity of meanings to people of African descent and the larger community.  African American heritage encompasses the values, traditions, and culture passed down over generations. Celebrating our heritage breathes life and meaning into our identities and the knowledge of who we are. Looking back on the past provides us with the insight and wisdom to understand where we are in the present moment, gives us the direction and perseverance to move forward to ensure a brighter future for the next generations. 

The celebration will take place again at the historic Shady Rest Golf and Country Club - the former home to John Shippen - the first African-American professional golfer and host to some of the era's most prominent musicians such as Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Billie Holiday!

 Music and Dance: Juneteenth 2023  will include  music by local church choirs. African drummers led by Kojo Ayiende Johnson and dancers led by Kcydiima Zahir will perform. There will be a step exhibition by the Blue Diamond Step team. Stepping is an African-American art form that has its roots in West African and South African dance. Amani will be back to present a musical program that reflects our theme.                                                                                               

 Visual Arts: Mansa Mussa will return to lead an African mask making workshop for families. We will also run our customary design contest for students.  Winning designs will be used on the ad book cover and t-shirts.                                                                

History: Our keynote speaker will be Dr. Stephanie James-Harris. Members of the Preserve Shady Rest Committee will lead tours of the historic building, recently added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2022.                                                                                                        

Fun and games: Mini golf on the Shady Rest course, lawn games, giant bubbles, face painting, balloon art, food trucks, and vendors. There will be no admission charge. Attendees can choose to buy refreshments or novelties or to bring their own picnic meals. The event venue is accessible to people with disabilities.