NCBAA to host Juneteenth Celebration June 19
The Palm Beach State College Chapter of the National Council on Black American Affairs is hosting its 15th Annual Juneteenth Celebration on June 19.
The event begins at 6 p.m. in the Public Safety Training Center conference room on the Lake Worth campus and will include networking, food and a viewing of Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther” outside on the lawn. It is free and open to the public.
NCBAA is collaborating this year with the College’s District Diversity Council and Student Activities to commemorate the historic event 153 years ago when slaves in Texas were finally informed that the Civil War was over and slavery had ended in the United States. The Emancipation Proclamation was issued on Sept. 22, 1862 with a Jan. 1, 1863 effective date. However, the word did not reach those in Texas until June 19, 1865 when federal troops arrived on Galveston Island to take possession of the state and enforce the emancipation of its slaves.
“Teaching people about multicultural issues is always important,’’ said Professor Victor Gent, J.D., NCBAA chapter president. “It gives them an opportunity to consider culturally sensitive topics such as race. Anything that you have that allows people to reflect on and question their assumptions about various cultural groups is good because people infrequently get an opportunity to do that. This event is an opportunity to see that process occur.”
NCBAA began holding the Juneteenth Celebration in 2004 for its members. However, in 2007 it opened the event to the community.
The National Council on Black American Affairs was founded in 1972 as an affiliate of the American Association of Community Colleges. It works to maximize personal and career opportunities for African-American students, faculty, staff and administrators. Through a variety of intellectual, cultural and social activities, the Council provides a platform for personal growth, professional development and scholarship. The PBCC chapter of NCBAA was established in 1997.
