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Juneteenth 2025: A Q&A with Local Juneteenth Organizers

ByArtsNews

Throughout the month of June, events across Westchester and Rockland Counties will commemorate the significance of Juneteenth by celebrating rich cultural music and dance traditions, passing on forgotten histories through storytelling and sharing in the joys of unity amongst community. In advance of a kick-off event organized by a coalition of local Juneteenth organizers, our ArtsNews editor, Mary Alice Franklin asked the co-founders of the Ossining Juneteenth Council, Joyce Sharrock Cole and Althema Goodson, about their reflections and experiences with Juneteenth.

Mary Alice Franklin (MAF): What does Juneteenth mean to you personally, and how have your reflections on it evolved over the years?

Joyce Sharrock Cole (JSC): As a genealogist, historian and descendant of emancipated enslaved people, Juneteenth holds a deeply personal meaning for me. It’s more than a holiday; it’s a sacred time of remembrance and recognition. Each year, as I dive deeper into historical records and family histories, I uncover more about my ancestors’ vast contributions to my home country. Their resilience, labor and sacrifices shaped America in countless ways, even when they were denied freedom and recognition.

Over time, my reflections on Juneteenth have evolved from simply honoring their liberation to actively reclaiming and uplifting their stories. Once forgotten in our national consciousness, this day has become a beacon for truth-telling and legacy-building. Each year, it becomes more dear to me, not just as a day of celebration, but as a call to preserve our history, tell our truths and continue the work they began.

Althema Goodson (AG): Juneteenth holds immense significance, serving as a powerful symbol of liberation and legacy. It has a special place in my heart as a moment to honor the unwavering resilience of my ancestors and the ongoing quest for true freedom and equity. Initially, I viewed it primarily as a historical milestone, a testament to the end of slavery. However, my understanding of Juneteenth has deepened over time, transforming it into a living, breathing call to action. It reminds us that while progress has been made, the pursuit of justice, unity and healing remains an ongoing journey. Juneteenth is a time for celebration, reflection and a recommitment to building a future where all individuals can truly thrive.

To me, Juneteenth is a solemn remembrance and a vibrant celebration. It stands as a testament to the delayed but undeniable triumph of freedom, a symbol of the indomitable spirit of a people who refused to be crushed. Personally, it is a time to honor the sacrifices, struggles and indomitable spirit of my ancestors—those who endured unimaginable hardships so that future generations could rise.

Juneteenth calls upon me to reflect, to celebrate, and to take action. It challenges us to confront the truth of our shared history and rise together in unity, driven by purpose and pride. It is not merely a day etched on the calendar; it is a living legacy that I carry with me every day.

MAF: How does this year’s “Unity and Shared History” theme resonate with your experience of Juneteenth?

JSC: This year’s Juneteenth theme resonates with me personally and professionally. As a genealogist, I spend my days tracing the lives and legacies of those who came before us. Their stories, often buried or overlooked, are essential threads in the American fabric. The history of Juneteenth itself represents resilience, delayed justice and a community committed to celebrating freedom despite hardship.

Our ancestors didn’t just survive; they built, led, resisted and loved. Their determination to create lives of dignity and purpose, even while being denied full citizenship and opportunity, is a legacy of unity that speaks to us powerfully today. When I uncover our people’s names, journeys and contributions, whether they were freedom seekers, farmers, teachers or soldiers, I am reminded that history isn’t just a series of past events. We carry it within our families, communities and collective responsibility to tell the truth.

This theme reminds us that the progress we seek does not come from individual effort alone, but through solidarity, working together, uplifting one another, and recognizing the strength found in our shared story. Just as our ancestors endured unimaginable challenges by leaning on each other, we, too, can navigate today’s struggles by honoring the past, acknowledging the present, and forging a future united in truth, justice and hope. 

MAF: In what ways do you hope this year’s celebrations go beyond commemoration and inspire lasting change or dialogue?

AG: We hope this year’s Juneteenth celebrations will spark conversations that move beyond remembering history and lead to real, lasting change in our communities. Commemoration is powerful, but it must be paired with action in today’s climate, whether investing in Black-led initiatives, being civically engaged, or creating spaces for honest dialogue across generations and backgrounds. Most of all, we hope people walk away feeling a deep sense of pride and honor, not only in how far we’ve come, but in the shared responsibility we carry to keep moving forward and lifting one another.

MAF: What can guests expect to experience at this year’s Juneteenth kick-off event on May 31?  

JSC: This year’s kick-off sets the stage for an immersive experience that honors our collective journey from bondage to freedom through sound, style, story and spirit.

Guests can expect an afternoon rich with cultural expression, soul-stirring spirituals and evocative spoken word. The pulse of African drumming will guide us through our ancestral memory and into our modern triumphs. A fashion showcase rooted in the traditions of Black Dandyism will showcase how our community has consistently utilized clothing as a means of expressing dignity, resistance and joy. In the context of Juneteenth, every stitch tells a story of freedom.

Guests can walk through a mini-gallery installation highlighting Juneteenth’s roots. They can also savor Juneteenth-centered foods steeped in history and symbolism, and dishes that celebrate survival, community and liberation.

And of course, there will be storytelling, because our stories are our power.

This is more than a program; it’s a call to remembrance and action, a kick-off that will galvanize the spirit for the month ahead.

MAF: How has sharing resources and strategies with other towns as part of the Juneteenth coalition impacted your approach to organizing your events this year?

AG: Partnering with communities across Westchester and Rockland Counties through the Juneteenth coalition has been a powerful and transformative journey. Being introduced to fellow organizers with the same deep passion and unwavering commitment to honoring Juneteenth has created a renewed energy and purpose. There is something extraordinary about joining forces with others who understand the significance of this day, not just as a historical moment, but as a living call to unity, justice and progress.

Through this coalition, we’ve experienced the undeniable strength in numbers. By pooling our resources, exchanging ideas and sharing best practices, we’ve enhanced the quality and reach of our events and built a collective movement that reflects the true spirit of Juneteenth. Together, we’ve learned that collaboration multiplies impact. Our voices carry further, our celebrations grow richer, and our message becomes impossible to ignore.

This shared effort goes beyond logistics—it’s about solidarity. It’s about lifting each other, honoring our ancestors, and showing the next generation what unity in action looks like. The coalition has reminded us that we’re not alone in this work, and that lasting change happens when communities rise together with a common purpose. That is the true power of Juneteenth.

MAF: What are some of the highlights or new features of your (or neighboring!) Juneteenth events this year that you’re most excited about?

JSC: This year’s Ossining Juneteenth celebration focuses on community, embracing the theme “Family Reunion.” We will honor individuals who are making a difference in our community while enjoying activities together in a relaxed atmosphere. This celebration provides an opportunity to unwind, learn and recognize the contributions of those who have positively impacted our lives. The event will culminate in a night of dancing featuring a concert by the talented R&B band Basecamp. We will also share a meal, offering free food to our guests. Ultimately, it’s about spending quality time with our neighbors on this important day of remembrance.

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