Last weekend, the Yonkers African American Historic Committee held its annual “Juneteenth” African heritage weekend, including a flag raising and parade. The Pan African flag was hoisted above the City Hall flagpole, featuring three colors – black for the people of the African Diaspora, red for the blood that was shed for slavery and continues to be shed today, and green to represent the land.
YAAHC President Rob Winstead explained the history of the day and the flag.
Proclamations were presented to the committee by Mayor Mike Spano and County Legislator Christopher Johnson. Congressman Eliot Engel, State Sen. Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Council President Mike Khader and Councilwoman Shanae Williams each gave remarks.
This year’s parade grand marshals were Shawyn Patterson and City Court Judge Evan Inlaw.
The weekend festival included a celebration of Black Music Month, economic symposiums, Youth Night, worship services, live entertainment, vendors, food and children’s activities.
In 1975, a group of African-Americans organized the Yonkers Afro-American Heritage Parade Committee. That group of concerned citizens included Mary Gaines, Herman Keith, Harold McCoy, Clayton LeBouef, Nannie Dickerson and Clifford Cook, among others.
The committee and parade-celebration rebranded itself to become the Yonkers African American Heritage Committee, which holds several programs and events throughout the year, including scholarship banquets, educational symposiums, and Kwanzaa celebration, in addition to the Juneteenth African Heritage Festival and Parade.
Juneteenth is the oldest-known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States, on June 19, 1865.
