Thank You

We would like to thank the dedicated men and women of the “Jabari Society” for the Parade, the Concerts, the Sports and Carnival Activities celebrating the First Annual Juneteenth Parade. We appreciate you and all you do. We are proud to have been selected as the location for this celebration.  Firemen and their families from Newark, Jersey City, to name a few Joined those from Englewood to celebrate the decree. They were all splendid in their dress uniforms. As you can see, those collars were fully buttoned. I love watching men dress up and stand proud. It does not matter the age. Pride in themselves and pride in the uniform and what it represents is awe inspiring.

The Jabari Society: International Association of
Black Professional Fire Fighters

Attiring oneself in full dress uniform makes one feel wanted, and strengthens self-esteem. There was a real sense of comraderie in these men and their families. The children and adults enjoyed themselves. The Fathers stood proud on Father's Day and Juneteenth

The following is from a speech delivered at the Liberty Pole.

“Tuesday’s City Council Meeting, the Mayor and Council will designate June 19th as “Juneteenth Day” in the City of Englewood. Juneteenth was first observed over 130 years ago on June 19, 1865 when General Gordon Granger rode into Galveston, Texas with news that the Civil War had ended and that the enslaved were free. Juneteenth, the oldest known celebration of the abolition of slavery in the United States, symbolizes freedom and reminds all Americans of the significant contributions African-Americans have made to our society. The first State to recognize Juneteenth as a holiday was Texas in 1980. In 2004, late Englewood resident and District 37 representative Senator Byron Baer sponsored Senate Bill No. 566 in the legislature designating the third Saturday in June of each year as “Juneteenth: Independence Day” in New Jersey “to commemorate the emancipation of African Americans and foster respect for all cultures.” The Jabari Society of Bergen County, in a partnership with the City of Englewood, is pleased to announce the City’s First Annual Juneteenth Independence Day Celebration and Festival, running from June 16 – 19th at Mackay Park. This celebration is a very special one for the City of Englewood as it will surely bring together the diversity of our City…”

To the Jabari Society, thank you.

We see you. How are the children?

 Photos courtesy of Kenneth Walton, Englewood Photographer and Resident