The third annual Juneteenth Celebration will take place at the Independence Uptown Market on Wednesday, June 19, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Truman Heartland Community Foundation (THCF), on behalf of the Racial Equity Action Fund and CEO Discretionary Fund, is proud to sponsor this family-friendly community-driven event.

Juneteenth is an important federal holiday that commemorates the emancipation of enslaved people under the terms of the 1862 Emancipation Proclamation. Due to the slow pace of overland communication and the lack of Union presence in states like Texas at the time, the news of emancipation took a little over two months to reach all corners of the country. Major Gorgan Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865, bringing news of freedom to the last group of enslaved people in the United States, marking the date now celebrated as Juneteenth.

"Juneteenth is not only a celebration of the remarkable resilience of people in the past," noted Phil Hanson, President and CEO of Truman Heartland Community Foundation, "but it’s also about celebrating the achievements of people of color today and showing the depth and breadth of this dynamic community's growth and success. We’re proud to support such a worthwhile community event."

A stage for live musical performances by LeVelle, Sensational Wonders, JahVelle, Lori Tucker and Millie Edwards will be set up inside the Independence Uptown Market pavilion. A variety of vendors and community organizations, like the Mid-Continent Public Library’s Reading Rocket, will be set up underneath the open-air pavilion to engage visitors. Lots of food options will be available for purchase from Amiya Faye Catering, LLC, Chef Tim’s Food Truck, Sweet Peaches Cobblers, and Vee’s BBQ Truck. At sundown, visitors can enjoy a free screening of the movie “I’m So Glad” at the nearby Pharoah Theater.

For more information about this community-driven event led by Anthony J. Mondaine Sr., visit https://www.juneteenthindepend....

Truman Heartland Community Foundation is a public charity committed to improving area communities by promoting and serving private giving for the public good. Founded in 1982, THCF serves individuals who, through their private giving, wish to support the public good in the most tax-wise and effective manner. Through THCF, donors can set up their own family foundations, scholarship funds, field of interest funds, endowment funds, charitable gift annuities, and many other charitable vehicles that utilize the foundation’s shared resources to maximize the impact of their philanthropic dollars. In addition to donor services, THCF provides asset development for nonprofit organizations, offers competitive grant opportunities to nonprofits, assists organizations in planned giving, and serves as a change leader in addressing community issues. For more information, visit www.thcf.org or call 816-836-8189.

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