PEOPLE & PLACES
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Freedom Day at the Fairgrounds
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BY OLIVIA PAUL
Community Organizing for Racial Equity presented the sixth annual Juneteenth Black Arts Festival at the Chatham County Fairgrounds June 17. The celebration was held in
recognition of the federal holiday that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. Host Taiyé Samuel invited attendees to enjoy performances by featured artist Liquid Pleasure alongside Dominique Dlyric McDaniels, Silky Smoove Drumline, Zeta Phi Beta, Mitchell Chapel Church, Chatham Dance Connection and others. Additional presentations included a panel discussion titled “Recognizing Our Roots, Our Family & Our Black Culture” featuring community advocate Dr. Ronda Taylor Bullock, Chatham County Schools Superintendent Dr. Anthony “Tony” Jackson and Preston Cook. Blackowned vendors such as Joiful Intentions and Dunique Designs set up booths for attendees to enjoy along with food, face painting and other family-friendly activities. CM 4
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1 Liquid Pleasure performs at the Juneteenth Black Arts Festival. 2 Jim Nass, Pat Walters, Malcolm Henry, Stephanie Terry, Lailee Deason, Athena Barfield, Aaliyah Barfield and Jamie Deason with Bahá’ís of Chatham County. 3 Sherry Ballentine at a vendor booth for Upcycle Designs, a business owned by her mother, Rita Ballentine. 4 Marissa Kirby and Nikki Bland. 5 Neah Henry and Nicole Henry-Myrie.
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CHATHAM MAGAZINE
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2023