GALVESTON, Texas – Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom and what better place to kick off the holiday than its birthplace, Galveston.
Every year, the island is filled with events in the month of June to celebrate General Order #3 which was delivered in 1865 by Union General Gordon Granger to Galveston, letting the remaining enslaved people know of their freedom; two years after others on the mainland were freed when President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation.
After being set free from captivity, Black people on the island and worldwide celebrated their new reality by displaying their faith. Many around the city of Galveston opened churches to continue their community dynamic and extend their praises to God for being free from bondage.
Even now, the church remains an unshakeable pillar within the Black community.
In honor of Juneteenth this year, the Nia Cultural Center is gearing up to host the third annual ‘Emancipation Gospel Celebration’.
The concert will feature gospel artist, Grammy-award winner Fred Hammond and a Galveston-based musical group, The Stinson Five.
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Event Producer Alex Thomas said despite being surrounded by bigger cities with bigger venues, there’s simply no better place to host this event than on the island.
KPRC 2′s digital reporter Moriah Ballard will be the emcee for the event on June 8.
It starts promptly at 7 p.m. and tickets range from $20 to $55.
For event details, and to purchase tickets, visit The Grand 1894 Opera House.