'This Is Your Future:' Long Branch Juneteenth Walk Eyes Progress

LONG BRANCH, NJ — Long Branch's Juneteenth Celebration focused on the past, especially accomplishments from African Americans often forgotten in American history. But Friday's walk also focused on the impact youth can make on creating positive change.

Hundreds participated in the walk, which traveled from Jerry Morgan Park to the Martin Luther King Jr. monument. Michael Bland, who spoke at the event, noted that key figures such as King and John Lewis — now a congressman — were only in their late 20s and 30s during the civil rights movement.

"We can’t expect anybody to help us out," Bland said. "Nobody’s coming to save us. What we can do is this: we can start to celebrate black history. Black history is American history."

Bland noted several often-forgotten figures in American history who are Black. That included Lewis Latimer, who invented the lightbulb with a carbon filament, and Matthew Henson, who co-discovered the North Pole.

Check out photos of the celebration.

Ty-Kiera Brown, who founded to local Juneteenth Coalition, believes so many people felt it was important to attend because of the recent surge in protests against police brutality and systemic racism. But she noted that this event wasn't a protest — it was a joyous occasion.

"Protests are very important, but this is like an independence day. It equates to the 4th of July," I think it was important for us to realize this is a happy time because there are many positive things happening right now."

Juneteenth celebrates the emancipation of African Americans from slavery in the United States. On June 19, 1865, Union Gen. Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, to inform enslaved African Americans that the Civil War was over and slavery had been abolished.

The Juneteenth Coalition plans to expand the event into a festival next year, featuring vendors, music and more. Anyone who wants to can join the organization, she says.

The crowd at this year's event was multiracial and spanned generations. As everyone celebrated and reflected, speakers also focused on how the youth can shape progress.

Rev. Dr. Lesly Devereaux, of Trinity AME Church told the young people in their time.

"This is your future. ... Now is your chance to take the mantle," she said. "So it is my prayer that as you protest, you will also think about ways you can be at the table when it’s time for policy and legislation."

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