On Friday, State College’s new chapter of the NAACP will host its first-ever Juneteenth celebration. The event, which honors the emancipation of the last remaining African American slaves in 1865, will be held at State College’s Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza.
The State College chapter of the NAACP was formed in January of this year. President Lorraine Jones is eager to see the impact of the organization in the fight against systemic racism.
"We have been ringing this bell for a very long time and have been ignored," Jones said. "It's important that we continue to connect what is happening nationally to what is happening locally."
Jones cites the March 2019 killing of Osaze Osagie in State College as a reason for her activism with the NAACP working to eliminate race-based discrimination.
Friday’s event from noon to one will include prayers, speeches, musical performances and art. Those who attend are asked to follow social distancing guidelines and wear a mask.
For those who cannot attend the event in person, there will be a livestream video on the State College NAACP’s Facebook page.
You can find more information about the celebration at strategiesjustice.com/juneteenth.
Correction: The original story misstated where the event could be livestreamed.
