Juneteenth African American Independence Day

KINGSTON – Harambee Kingston NY (HKNY) invites the public to celebrate its Juneteenth African American Independence Day celebration, at their Grand Opening on Saturday June 19th, Noon-4pm at 157 Pine Street, Kingston, NY.

Headliners include The Saints of Swing featuring the beloved gospel/swing sensation – Miss Renee Bailey; the smooth jazz sounds of the legendary saxophonist Eric Person and his Quartet with John Esposito on piano, Ira Coleman on bass, and Darrell Green on drums; the incomparable vocalist, guitarist, violinist Simi Stone; a stunning recitation of Frederick Douglass’ most riveting story of a nation – “What to a Slave is Your Fourth of July” by actor Oliver King; a surprise special guest, and more! They will have great food, children’s games, a photo booth, and tours of their new headquarters and the sacred Pine Street African Burial Ground (PSABG). For more information and updates, visit their Facebook Page.

The deed to 157 Pine Street, Kingston, NY – the site that was formally designated in 1750 by the city’s trustees as a segregated burial ground for enslaved Africans, was transferred to HKNY by the Kingston Land Trust, Inc. on February 25, 2021.The Trust will continue to protect this land, in perpetuity, through a conservation easement that ensures it will always be preserved as a sacred historic memorial space under the stewardship of the African American community. Plans for an empirical five-year study of the PSABG, to be spearheaded by Ken Nystrom and Joe Diamond of SUNY New Paltz’s Archeology Division, are currently underway. The study will involve the formation of the PSABG Advisory Board; Panels on Education, Research and Outreach; a Young Scholars Council; an archeological field study during the summer of 2022; memorial landscape design; documentary filmmaking; renaming/reburial ceremonies; the commission of a Monument, and more.

A PSABG Community Forum, open to the public, will take place in early July.
You can read more about the history of the Pine Street African Burial Ground, and see SUNY New Paltz Professor Joe Diamond’s article on Harambee’s website.

About Harambee Kingston NY/Pine Street African Burial Ground
Harambee (Ha-rahm-bee), which means “bringing people together” in Swahili, is a Kingston, NY-based, nonprofit organization. Founded in 2018 by Tyrone Wilson, our mission is to “Bring Truth to Light” by educating, enriching, and empowering people of all backgrounds through events and activities that recognize and celebrate African/African-American history, culture and influencers; to protect and preserve the Pine Street African Burial Ground; and to respond to the most critical needs of the communities we serve in collaboration with government, education, community- and faith-based institutions, and businesses. Our vision is a united and erudite African-American collective. Go to www.harambeekingstonny.org for more information and to sign up for their mailing list.