Our Celebrations & Traditions
Juneteenth Celebration - Celebrated annually on June 19th to commemorate the final enforcement of the the January 1st, 1863 Emancipation Proclamation executive order, which abolished American slavery, and finally emancipated the remaining enslaved African American (OAA) community in Galveston, TX on June 19th, 1865. After centuries of our community celebrating Juneteenth since our emancipation, it became an official U.S. federal holiday on June 17th, 2021.
Kwanzaa Celebration - Annual celebration of African American Culture using Pan-African themes between December 26th & January 1st.
Black / African American History Month - February Holiday Started in 1970 United States specifically celebrating the achievements of OAA people, now a Federally Recognized Holiday.
Jonkonnu Celebration - Historic primarily in the American State of North Carolina, on historic plantation sites such as Stagville, in Durham, NC, dates back to the late 1700's to early 1800's, and during the Christmas season, celebrates the achievements of Gyan Konadu, the Akan warrior from Axim Ghana, and chief of the Ahata people, who is credited with acquiring and defending Fort Gross Fredericksburg, of Princes Town Ghana against the Dutch, from December 25th, 1708 to 1724. He was named "John Canoe" by Europeans.
The Gullah Geechee Festival - of Gullah Geechee African Americans from the coastal region of Pender County, NC down to St. Johns County, FL
HBCU (Historical Black College Universities) - college degree institutions in the United States that were established before the Civil Rights Act of 1964 with the intention of serving African American students.
Original African American Wedding Traditions - Such as a couple "Jumping the Broom" originating during secret marriages during slavery
Original African American Graduation & Right of Passage Celebrations of our youth - combines Pan African and Black American themes of our ancestors.
African American Cultural Celebrations
City wide and state wide celebrations of OAA culture in the U.S.
The National Black Family Reunion - Celebration of Black American family values, traditions, and strengths held annually on the 3rd weekend of August
The Black Cowboy Festival & Trail Ride -
Celebrating the achievements and contributions of OAA cowboys, cowgirls, and frontiersmen historically in the United States
