12-year-old Malcolm Gaudin, 13-year-old Mac Gaudin, 9-year-old Malik Gaudin, and Mac Gaudin celebrated Juneteenth at Newtown, including with their attire.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Sarasota
Neighbors
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Amid the lively celebrations at the Juneteenth block party in Newtown on June 17 were thoughts of the progress of the Black community over time.
"It means everything to me," Anthony Johnson said of the holiday. "It speaks to our progress within society."
Juneteenth takes place on June 19, the anniversary of the day federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, in 1865 to ensure that all enslaved people would be freed, two-and-a-half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation.
The event brought together local food vendors including CJ's Barbecue and Inga's Catering & More and organizations like Second Chance Last Opportunity, along with live music.
Preceding the block party was the Juneteenth Freedom Day Cookout held at the Betty J. Johnson North Sarasota Public Library on June 16. Johnson, a youth literacy advocate and former county employee for whom the library is named, was in attendance.
"For (Juneteenth) to be celebrated at the library here in the Newtown community, that's just awesome," she said.
Lisa Gilbert, whose 8-year-old granddaughter, Aubrie Stilwell, is biracial, said she makes a point of attending the block party each year.
"We just look forward to this," she said. "Aubrie needs to understand her heritage."
April Glasco, the founder and CEO of Second Chance Last Opportunity, said the event offered an opportunity for the whole community to be involved.
"It doesn't matter the color of your skin. We're all here to help support and care for one another," she said.
Eboni Rainey-Haynes and Jasmine Jackson cook up some offerings at the Boiled Peanuts stand.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Anna Hodge, Shinece Davis, Nakeisha Davis, and Shakella Frett of the Island Vibes stand
Photo by Ian Swaby
Beads hang on display at the Waist Beads stand.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Peanuts are boiled at the Boiled Peanuts stand.
Photo by Ian Swaby
7-year-old Skyler Wade, 8-year-old Aubrie Stilwell and Lisa Gilbert explore the stands along the road.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Carolyn Haynes and James Haynes, Jr. promoted Carolyn Haynes' new business, Elite Medicare Lady, a service to helps members of the community enroll in medicare and medicaid.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Visitors Jennifer Joseph and Nina Tortelli explore the market.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Ally Lee and Destiny Lee of Home Style Cooking
Photo by Ian Swaby
12-year-old Malcolm Gaudin, 13-year-old Mac Gaudin, 9-year-old Malik Gaudin, and Mac Gaudin celebrated Juneteenth at Newtown, including with their attire.
Photo by Ian Swaby
April Glasco, CEO and founder of Second Chance Last Opportunity, offere signings of her self-help book Divine Purpose of Inspiration. She said the book "inspires self-help, encourages individuals reading to be empowered."
Photo by Ian Swaby
Books about Juneteenth are offered at the Second Chance Last Opportunity stand.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Mike and Robert Stafford fry fish at Exquisite Eats.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Latoya Wright stocks the supply at Toya Jay’s Collard Green Egg Rolls.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Amani Washington and Inga Charles of Inga's Catering & More.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Gemini Fox accepts fried doughnuts from Ken Jackson.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Tina Caldwell flips hamburgers at the of Butta Clucka's stand.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Fish are fried at Exquisite Eats.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Lynn Gamby and Brycie Shaw
Photo by Ian Swaby
Ernso Joseph talks with Charlemagne Fenelon as they watch the event from the patio of Community Family Restaurant where they both work.
Photo by Ian Swaby
8-year-old Deja Bright, 12-year-old Leilah Bright, 7-year-old Faith Bright and Briana Smith, owner of Mobile Desserts and Food
Photo by Ian Swaby
Davis Furlow of Neighborhood Juice
Photo by Ian Swaby
Melinda Whitehead of the Caloha stand.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Toya Abner is in a dancing mood.
Photo by Ian Swaby
14-year-old Maliyaa Summers, 17-year-old Azariah Summers, and Jessica Smith of CJ's Barbeque
Photo by Ian Swaby
Betty J. Johnson, a former county employee and longtime advocate for youth literacy, visited the Betty J. Johnson North Sarasota Public Library, which is named in her honor, in honor of Juneteenth on June 16, accompanied by her daughter Carisa Johnson.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Cas Bradley accepts a meal from Danette Williams at the Betty J. Johnson North Sarasota Public Library on June 16.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Kids from Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties perform outdoor activities at the library during the barbecue event on June 16, led by Amy Raspiller of Amy's Hoop Circle.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Danette Williams, Valerie Buschand, and Valerie Butler offer barbeque at the Betty J. Johnson North Sarasota Public Library.
Ian Swaby is the Sarasota neighbors writer for the Observer. Ian is a Florida State University graduate of Editing, Writing, and Media and previously worked in the publishing industry in the Cayman Islands.
