
Empower Magazine celebrated July 4th (America’s 236th Birthday) and highlights recent area Juneteenth celebrations commemorating, June 19, 1865, the date former slaves in Texas learned about their freedom.
She grew up in a segregated America, where it was against the law for her to use the same public/private accommodations and buy property or live in the same neighborhoods as whites.
After slaves were freed in Texas, her grandfather purchased land in Kendleton, Texas. Her uncle, Thomas Lane (T.L.) Pink, built T.L. Pink High School in Glen Flora, Texas for black children in 1948, later serving as teacher and principal of the school.
In tribute to her family’s contributions, The Harris County Department of Education (CASE) and The Honey Brown Hope Foundation, held the “Give Me Liberty and Give Me Education—A Pre-Juneteenth and Parental Involvement Tribute.”
Cash-Cobb gave a speech on “Why It’s a Privilege to be Involved in Your Child’s Education.”
According to Tammie Lang Campbell, founder of the Honey Brown Hope Foundation, the event focused on parental involvement and education, honoring our past, celebrating our present and promoting hope for the future. The program served as a reminder that no slave was truly free, until all slaves were freed. Campbell’s foundation promotes partnerships that promote the social, emotional and academic growth of children and families.
“We were honored to honor Ms. Cash Cobb. Judging from the response from Ms. Cobb’s granddaughter, Vonda Malbrough, the feeling was mutual.
Vonda said, “The Honey Brown Hope Foundation’s goal of educating and empowering others speaks volumes.,” shared Campbell, in a press statement.
Missouri City Juneteenth Celebration
The Missouri City Juneteenth Celebration Foundation, founded by Don Smith, celebrated its 10th Anniversary, with a host of family and community-oriented festivities.
The fun-filled week of activities, included a parade, historical re-enactment(s), a golf tournament, high school “Battle of the Bands,” a Community Health & Wellness Fair, and an outdoor musical festival, featuring Hip-Hop, R&B, Jazz, Blues, Country, Zydeco and World Musical Performers.
Smith formed the foundation in 2002 by organizing residents and business and community leaders to commemorate and celebrate African American’s rich cultural heritage and to launch an ongoing event of substance and importance for the community.
For more information, visit http://www.mcjcf.com.
Houston 140th Juneteenth Celebration
In Houston, the Friends of Emancipation Park, the Citywide Center for Performing and Visual Arts, The Houston Sun, http://MoShows.com and others, coordinated the 140th Annual Juneteenth Celebration in Historic Emancipation Park.
The event featured a host of festivities, including a freedom parade, festival, gospel entertainment, food vendors, a variety of performances, bands, choirs and community fun.
The event also included the announcement of the $33 million dollar renovation of Emancipation Park.
Houston’s 39th Annual Juneteenth Parade, founded in 1973, by Rev. C. Anderson Davis and the National Emancipation Association, is the longest running parade honoring African American freedom in history, according to coordinators.