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Southwest celebrates inaugural Juneteenth Celebration

By Chris Caldwell 

Project M.O.S.T. director Kariem-Abdul Salaam welcomes guests to the College’s Juneteenth celebration in the Farris Auditorium.
Project M.O.S.T. director Kariem-Abdul Salaam
welcomes guests to the College’s Juneteenth
celebration in the Farris Auditorium.

Southwest celebrated Juneteenth, the state’s new official holiday, on June 19, 2023, at the Macon Cove Campus Farris Auditorium. The event was live-streamed to the Whitehaven and Maxine A. Smith centers and Union Avenue Campus.

The inaugural event was held in conjunction with Project M.O.S.T.’s Introduction to College Excellence (I.C.E.) summer leadership series and included performances by artists, actors and musicians. 

Nationally recognized poet, Benjamin Thelonius Sanders, international “edu-tainer” Ekpe of Genius Unlimited, and co-founders of Blues City Cultural Center, Deborah and Levi Frazier, were among the featured guest artists. 

Beginning next year, the College will officially close in observance of the holiday. 
 
Benjamin Theolonius Sanders, founder of H.O.P.E. (Hands-On Poetry Experience), gave a passionate spoken word performance during the Juneteenth Celebration.

Benjamin Theolonius Sanders, founder of H.O.P.E. (Hands-On Poetry Experience), gave a passionate spoken word performance during the Juneteenth Celebration.  

Ekpe Abioto, musician, educational entertainer and artistic director of Genius Unlimited, demonstrated the kalimba.
Ekpe Abioto, musician, educational entertainer and artistic director of Genius Unlimited, demonstrated the kalimba. 

Deborah Frazier, co-founder of Blues City Cultural Center, recited a soliloquy from  “Juneteenth: A Day of True Emancipation.” 
 
Deborah Frazier, co-founder of Blues City Cultural Center, recited a soliloquy from  “Juneteenth: A Day of True Emancipation.” 

Former Southwest student and Project M.O.S.T. member Andrew Robinson showcased paintings and cultural expressions depicting the meaning of “free.” 
Former Southwest student and Project M.O.S.T. member Andrew Robinson showcased paintings and cultural expressions depicting the meaning of “free.”