GSU to commemorate Juneteenth with second annual celebration

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTGS) — Maxine Bryant, the director of Africana Studies at Georgia Southern University, said that the university will kick off the holiday weekend with its second annual Juneteenth celebration this Friday at the Armstrong campus.

Bryant said the federal recognition of this holiday celebrating the end of slavery in America is a significant historical event in and of itself.

“Now you can’t ignore it," said Bryant. "Now you can’t minimize it, right? Our country has acknowledged, one, slavery existed, two, slavery ended. So, it creates then an avenue for education. It creates an avenue for motivation to celebrate.”

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Bryant said that all are welcome at Friday's event, and she encouraged people of all ages to come out and enjoy food, performances, and educational activities.