ROANOKE, Va. – A Juneteenth celebration packed Eureka Park Saturday to commemorate the day all African-American slaves were freed.
Children pumped up the crowd with music and dance performances.
Dozens of local Black-owned vendors sold art, jewelry, food and drinks.
As a new entrepreneur, Christina Sapp, the owner of a catering company called Just A Little Something, said seeing the Black community strive after nearly 250 years of slavery is a lesson she wants her son to takeaway.
“That he sees me as his mother,” she said. “As a Black woman. Just out here getting mines and striving for Black excellence. I can provide for him and then leave something for him that he can then provide for his son.”
Wearing a Juneteenth shirt with pride, Amazetta Anderson said it’s a day of unity and a moment to honor the sacrifices ancestors endured.
“That our ancestors paved the way for us to be able to say yes we survived,” she said. “Yes we strive.”
Vice Mayor Trish White-Boyd set up a booth to give away free popcorn but also raise money for a Henrietta Lacks statue.
Lacks was born in Roanoke and her cancer cells were used to make pivotal medical breakthroughs.
“We have to remember where we came from and also be positive about the future and where we’re going,” she said. “And this is progress.”
Event goers say more effort needs to be made to teach children about the historic day in schools.