Juneteenth celebrates those who are making a difference

Mackenzie Brady for the Kent County News, Jun 21, 2022

CHESTERTOWN — Those who attended Saturday’s Juneteenth celebration in Wilmer Park were met with music, magic and history.

The day started gloomy, but that did not discourage nearly 400 people from enjoying the sun, shade and songs.

The attendance was higher in previous years when Juneteenth was a “trending topic,” event organizer John Queen said in an email to the Kent County News.

Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans on June 19, 1865 in Galveston, Texas.

Since then, Juneteenth has been observed on and around June 19 to celebrate African American freedom, culture and achievement.

In 2021, Juneteenth became a federal holiday.

This year highlights, Queen said, included reenactor Phil Darius Wallace’s portrayal of Frederick Douglass in a performance at the Garfield Center for the Arts, the heartfelt speech Charlie Graves’ daughter gave at the historic signage unveiling marking the spot of the Uptown Club and the Frederick Douglass Award ceremony.

Wallace gave a second performance later Saturday at Wilmer Park, reciting poetry and prose written by well-known Black activists including Douglass, Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. He also recited some of his original works.

At the awards ceremony, Queen presented the third Bayside H.O.Y.A.S. Shooting Star Award — given to youth who have impacted their community in a positive way — to JayShaun Freeman.

Freeman’s father Melvin and sister Lexi accepted the award on his behalf.

The inaugural Frederick Douglass Community Activism Award was presented to Devone Comegys, the Rev. Robert “Bobby” Brown, Karen Somerville and Del. Sheree Sample-Hughes (D-37A).

This award is presented to an African American or Black individual or organization who contributes to the empowering of the community.

When accepting the award, Comegys said he “love(s) giving back to home and I’m going to continue to do my best.”

Comegys, who grew up in Kent County, has been an educator in the Queen Anne’s County school system for 20 years.

Brown echoed the sentiment. “Serving and loving human kind is what I was created for and enjoy doing.” he said.

Brown, who received the award on his 66th birthday, said it was “one of the best gifts I have ever received.”

Somerville quoted former Associate Justice of the Supreme Court Thurgood Marshall in her acceptance speech.

“If you’re looking for something to do with your life, I say serve,” she said. “Service is it. Joy is in service, hope is in service and believe me you will find peace in service.”

In addition to the award for community activism, Sample-Hughes was presented a portrait of herself drawn by artist Marvin Starks.

She said that while she represents Dorchester and Wicomico counties, she is the only African American female representing the entire Eastern Shore and feels like Kent County is home too.

“Every time I come here I’m welcomed with open arms and I just want to let you know I’m extremely appreciative,” Sample-Hughes said in her acceptance speech.

A representative for Comptroller Peter Franchot presented Queen, co-founder and president of the Bayside H.O.Y.A.S, with a certificate of recognition for his “dedication and unwavering commitment to guide and mentor at-risk youth in Kent County.”

In his acceptance speech, Queen thanked his daughters Peyton and Aria and his wife Shamika.

“Because of their commitment to me I’m able to commit myself to my community,” he said.

In an email, Queen said the H.O.Y.A.S. already are planning next year’s events — the Frederick Douglass Day of Acknowledgement for some time in February and the Juneteenth celebration for some time in June.

Future Juneteenth celebrations will focus programming on multiple musical guests and acts to draw tourists and visitors, rather than focus on community members and organizations, Queen said, though partnerships with community organizations will continue.

Next year’s event will likely be one day in Fountain Park, he said, adding that the H.O.Y.A.S. will “continue the tradition and celebration of the Juneteenth holiday each and every year.”

This year’s Juneteenth celebration was sponsored by The Peoples Bank, Mid Shore Health Improvement Coalition and Kent Cultural Alliances.

The partners were Bayside H.O.Y.A.S., Black Union of Kent County, Washington College, the Town of Chestertown and Main Street Chestertown, The Peoples Bank, Mid Shore Health Improvement Coalition and Kent Cultural Alliance.

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