Oak Park turned out for Juneteenth Saturday in style with a cookout and party that featured Black business vendors, food trucks, inflatables, games and music and performances.
There was also a soul food and vegan spread open to the public for free.
The live entertainment lineup included the Jesse White Tumblers, the Bucket Boys, Kuumba Kids and the return of funk, soul and R&B band Midnight Sun. A Black History Bike Tour developed by Oak Park River Forest Museum also was offered.
Also last Wednesday, the winners of Jubilee SPEAKS!, a Juneteenth original oratory competition sponsored by Ase’ Productions, were invited to read their speeches at the village’s Juneteenth Flag Raising. Ase’ Productions is a community organization designed to uplift Black culture in Oak Park and neighboring communities.
“The flag raising was very emotional for me because The Pan African Flag and the Juneteenth flag were raised,” said Juanta Griffin, founder Ase’ Productions and one of the original founders of the village’s Juneteenth cookout.
“For me, it represented the duality and complexities of being Black in America. I am American with deep African roots… and although my ancestors were separated from their homeland and the wealth of America was built on the backs of enslaved Black Americans, my original history and identity were stolen, Africa is in my DNA… that connection will never be severed. Seeing both flags raised while singing “Lift Every Voice and Sing” in the village that raised me … brought tears to my eyes,” she said.