A member of the Asase Yaa dance troupe performs at the 2nd Annual Williamsburg BK Juneteenth Celebration held this year at P.S. 250. Photo credit: Lori Ann Doyon
For the second year, the Juneteenth Committee and St. Nicks Alliance organized and hosted a Juneteenth celebration. This year the festivities took place at P.S. 250’s schoolyard, but all ages were represented by the audience.
Dr. Lorenzo Pace performs his story Jalani and the LockPhoto credit: Lori Ann Doyon
Local artist and author, Dr. Lorenzo Pace read his book, Jalani and the Lock. It was more than just a reading. He illustrated the story by puppetry with stuffed animals, he punctuated with percussion instruments, he engaged the children with call and repeat.
Dr. Lorenzo Pace performs his story Jalani and the Lock and St. Nicks Alliance Exec. Dir. Michael Rochford helps out by turning the pages. Photo credit: Lori Ann Doyon
Next came a parade around P.S. 250 led by drummers from Asase Yaa. The event progressed with singing The Black National Anthem (Lift Every Voice and Sing), African dancing and singing, and contemporary dance performances from local groups.
Much of the event was captured on video and can be viewed on St. Nicks Alliance’s YouTube channel.
Mistress of Ceremonies for this year’s Juneteenth Celebration was Charisse Owens (back right) Photo Credit: Lori Ann DoyonThe Juneteenth parade begins its route around the block. Photo credit: Lori Ann DoyonTheresa Womble of Williamsburg Houses Residents Association and St. Nicks Alliance Board with her daughter (on left) and granddaughter (on right) all dressed up for the Juneteenth Celebration at P.S. 250 Photo Credit: Lori Ann DoyonDeneise Jennings-Houston (Juneteenth Committee co-Chair) raises the American and Juneteenth flags high. Photo Credit: Lori Ann DoyonMichael Rochford (exec. dir., St. Nicks Alliance), Karen Leader (Juneteenth Committee), Evelyn Cruz (district director for U.S. Representative Nydia Velázquez), and Dealice Fuller (chair, Brooklyn Community Board 1) Photo Credit: Lori Ann Doyon Students of P.S. 250 enjoy Dr. Lorenzo Pace’s telling of his story Jalani and the LockPhoto Credit: Lori Ann DoyonAsase Yaa set the rhythm for the audience to dance. Photo Credit: Lori Ann Doyon
Managing editor, head writer, and lead photographer of Greenline | North Brooklyn News since October 2014. Resident of Williamsburg, Brooklyn since 1990.
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