• Black Anthem, "Lift Every Voice and Sing," lyrics sheet from the Spiritual Historical Review.

MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - Meridian Township held its 2nd Annual Freedom Fest honoring Juneteenth with a multi-event celebration geared to engage and educate the community.

Juneteenth takes place annually on June 19th which marks the end of slavery in the United States. This is the day when enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, were finally informed of their freedom upon the arrival of federal troops on June 19, 1865 — two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation.

It became a federal holiday on June 17, 2021.

The multi-event celebration included a free community movie screening of, “Akeelah and the Bee” that tells a story of Black excellence and perseverance. Studio C! offered the first 100 people free movie tickets and a voucher for a free popcorn and medium drink on Saturday, June 18th.

Following that same day, a community forum was held at the Town Hall Room of the Municipal Building with special guest, Dr. Deresa Scott, virtually. The forum included discussions on cultural issues and Black experiences in Meridian Township and how to continue to improve and to provide more inclusiveness.

The last event was held on Sunday, June 19th, at Meridian Historical where Pastor Marvin Williams of Trinity Church of Lansing, taught the community of how spirituality led to the construction of modern Black excellence.

The celebration ended with Sunday dinner, a meal traditionally where you eat together after church service to continue to connect with one another.