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Los Angeles, CA Jun 19, 2024

St. Joseph Center Hosts First Annual Juneteenth Celebration

St. Joseph Center hosted its first annual Juneteenth celebration, honoring unity, Black culture, and empowerment with traditional song and dance presented by the Women’s African Drum Circle SHINE Muwasi. Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the States. It is celebrated on June 19th each year to mark the day in 1865 when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston to announce the end of slavery, two and a half years after the Emancipation was signed. On June 15, 2021, Juneteenth became a federal holiday in the United States and was signed as the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law. This marked a significant moment in American history, recognizing the importance of Juneteenth in the fight for freedom and equality for all. SHINE Muwasi Women's African Drum Circle is a group of women from Southern California led by Rene Fisher-Mims. The group was formed to spread knowledge of West African drum culture combined with healing, empowerment, and inspiration. SHINE aspires to pass on wisdom to those interested in West African culture. See photo highlights: https://flickr.com/photos/200589603@N05/albums/72177720317985270

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