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Lottie Lewis, chairperson of the Allendale Rural arts Team (ART), stands with a picture of Nelson Mandela during the Juneteenth celebration held at the Carolina Theatre.
ART members Georgia Cohen (left) and Lydia Boynton dressed in African fashions for the Juneteenth event. Cohen greeted those attending while Boynton served as Mistress of Ceremonies.
ART member Lena Green reads the poem “The Hills We Climb” by Amanda Goldman.
ART member Arnetta Hulen introduces the guest speaker during Juneteenth ceremonies.
The Denmark Technical College Alumni Reunion Choral Ensemble performed several songs during the Juneteenth celebration. Ensemble members include Jasmine Barnes, Myron Brooker, Ashley Jordan, Tyrall Kinard and Jas McDaniel.
Members of the Simpson United Methodist Church Choir performed inspirational music during the Juneteenth celebration.
Allendale Police Chief Lawrence Wiggins talks about “Where We Are” during the Juneteenth celebration.
The Awesome Youth Team (AYT) performed two interpretive dances for attendees of the Juneteenth celebration.
The Awesome Youth Team (AYT) performed two interpretive dances for attendees of the Juneteenth celebration.
The names of African Americans from Allendale County who have lost their lives in recent times were memorialized during a moment of silence.
Pastor Wilbur Hines of Happy Home Baptist Church, Allendale, was the guest speaker for the Juneteenth event.
Willie Johnson of Allendale-Fairfax Schools gives a history of Juneteenth to attendees and later performed a solo.
“One Man Band” Randy Gamble sang and played the keyboard during the Juneteenth celebration held at the Carolina Theatre.
An artistic celebration of freedom was held June 10 at the Carolina Theatre in Allendale.
Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of slaves in the United States. While the official national celebration is June 19, marking the date when the order was given in Texas, the commemoration can be celebrated on other dates in June.
The Allendale Juneteenth event was sponsored by the Allendale Rural arts Team (ART), USC Salkehatchie and the South Carolina Arts Commission.
The event included vocal performances by the Denmark Technical College Alumni Reunion Choral Ensemble, Simpson United Methodist Church Choir, Willie Johnson of Allendale-Fairfax Schools, and “One Man Band” Randy Gamble.
The Awesome Youth Team (AYT) performed two interpretive dances.
Speakers included Willie Johnson and Allendale Police Chief Lawrence Wiggins.
Guest speaker for the Juneteenth event was Pastor Wilbur Hines of Happy Home Baptist Church in Allendale. Hines told attendees, “If you want to be successful – because prejudice is still out there – you have to tell your children and grandchildren to go out there and do something nobody else wants to do.”
He said that people allow themselves to be deceived into believing they are “nothing” and living out that perception. He said faith in God allows people to get through their hard times and have hope for the future.
Hines said for people to “take the high road”, quoting Michelle Obama, and not react in anger or rage. He also said not to put down those who achieve success through hard work and determination.
He said God wants people to be successful but they must have their faith and priorities set in order to have dignity, honor and respect.
ART chairperson Lottie Lewis thanked all the artists and speakers as well as the ART members who participated in the event. She also thanked USC Salkehatchie for use of the Theatre and the SC Arts Commission for funding.
“It is our quest to bring you this type of programs as often as we can,” said Lewis. She promised “many more events” coming to Allendale in the future, noting that the county is on the cusp of growth.
She said people living in Allendale have a “proud tradition” which needs to be shared.
Lewis noted that Allendale County has a lot of problems but when bad things happen, “some people get crutches, others get wings.”
“What will you do?” she asked. “Get wings. Allendale, I believe, is getting ready to fly but it is going to take all of us working together.”
She said it is important to tell children and grandchildren “how important it is for them to do their very best at school, at home and in the community.”
“It’s ok to be different. It’s ok to not look like another person, but do your very best,” she said, “Be your best.”
