UCAC is non-political, non-partisan, and we do not support or endorse any political candidates.
June 17, 2023
Free Family Event
Bring your own chairs and small tents or umbrellas!
12PM
Lancaster Park
21675 Coral Dr Lexington Park, Md
"Juneteenth is a day of reflection, a day of renewal, a pride-filled day. It is a moment in time taken to appreciate the African American experience. It is inclusive of all races, ethnicities and nationalities as nothing is more comforting than the hand of a friend." - www.Juneteenth.com
In 2021, we held our annual event virtually and face to face. Select the play button above to view the special presentation from last year. Hope you can join us this year at our new location, we know this will be bigger and better than before.
We are excited to host our Juneteenth African American Heritage Celebrations. Each year we expand and grow with new sponsors, vendors, entertainment and attendees from the community. We do our absolute best to provide enough seating and covered areas, but we do encourage you to bring your own lawn chair.
We provide local entertainers an opportunity to showcase their music. We welcome all sorts of music entertainment in celebration of the African American Heritage. If you would like to recommend yourself or a entertainer please contact us.
This is event is possible due to the continuous support from our local businesses and organizations. Please consider supporting this event by vending, taking out an ad in your booklet or making a in-kind donation.
Juneteenth originated as a celebration of the ending of slavery in Texas. On June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger and 1,800 troops of the Union Army arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced that the Civil War had ended and all slaves were free. Even though President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation had gone into effect on January 1, 1863, freeing all slaves in those states in rebellion against the United States, for various reasons the decree had not yet taken effect in Texas.
The proclamation issued by General Granger - General Orders, Number3 - announced: The people of Texas are informed that in accordance with a Proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and free laborer ...
That evening, thousands of people in Galveston celebrated their freedom with dancing, singing, and feasting. In the years that followed, other southern cities also began to organized Juneteenth festivities. It was not until January 1, 1980, however, that Juneteenth was designated an official state holiday in Texas. Through the efforts of African American state legislator Al Edwards, Juneteenth became the first emancipation celebration granted official state recognition.
Today, Juneteenth is celebrated not only in Texas, but in cities throughout the United States. Typical Juneteenth activities include picnics, parades, barbecues, ball games, and family reunions. It is also a time for people to recount the events of the past. Today Juneteenth has taken on a more national perspective, celebrating African American freedom while encouraging self-development and respect for all cultures.
"Let us discard all this quibbling about this man and the other man, this race and that race and the other race being inferior, and therefore they must be placed in an inferior position. Let us discard all these things, and unite as one people throughout this land, until we shall once more stand up declaring that all men are created equal." - Abraham Lincoln, (July 10, 1858)
Hello friends and supporters of UCAC (Unified Committee for Afro-American Contributions),
Our organization have come up with a project that we are excited about and feel many citizens of the county will agree with us.
At the Elmer Brown Freedom Park, where the large stone pyramid stands and the small pedestals tell of the story of how Afro-Americans of St. Mary’s County were instrumental in the development and growth of the wonderful county that it is today.
There were 3 men that distinguished themselves by the good works they left behind, that will remain with us for a long time to come. They were Elmer Brown Sr., John G. Lancaster and Joseph Lee Somerville.
We are honoring these 3 men, by creating a bronze plaque for each of them telling a small piece of their life’s story.
The project will cost a little above $7000, that cost includes the cost of the plaques and their installation.
We are planning to have them installed by the end of November or early December. The grand reveal at our Juneteenth 2022 celebration.
We are asking for your help by donating to the project. UCAC is a 501c (3) non- profit organization. We are an all-volunteer organization. Your tax-deductible contribution would help us make this project a reality.
We are soliciting donations of any amount. For individuals that donating $75 or above they will have their name listed in the 2022 Juneteenth souvenir journal as a silver supporter of the project. For Businesses that donate $150 or above their name will be listed as a gold supporter of the project.
Click on the Donate button and make your donation. Please tell your friends and family about this project. Or you can write and check to UCAC and send it to PO Box 1457, Lexington Park, MD 20653. If you have any questions select contact us. Thanks for your support in advance.
Mike Brown
2022 Juneteenth Chair
Gold Sponsors
Kim and Kenny Johnson
Community Bank of the Chesapeake Linda Head and Leona Johnson Christine Wray
Sam Balwin
John Alonzo Gaskin
Bob Lewis and Merideth Taylor
Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland
Thompson Family Corporation
Barbara Bershon
Michelle Brown
Lott Enterprises
Silver Sponsors
George and Sylvia Brown
Malinda Hughey
Michael Brown
Debbie Dunlap
Linda Head
Lee Johnson
Alma Jordon
Bill Lawrence
Regina McFadden
Maureen Montgomery
Anna Moseley
NAACP Branch 7025
Sharon Thorstensen
Darlene Yorkshire
Dorothy Waters
Amy Ford
AnnMarie and Jerry Abell
Copyright © 2022 UCAC - All Rights Reserved. Website Problems? Disclaimer for Errors and Omissions: Unified Committee for Afro-American Contributions will make every reasonable effort to ensure the accuracy and validity of the information provided on its web pages. However, as information continues to change the Unified Committee for Afro-American Contributions reserve the right to change the information at any time without notice. If you find any information found incorrect please contact us directly.
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