Many facebook posts about AZHC Juneteenth Celebration:
Did you know Arizona held its first Juneteeth Celebration in 1911 organized by Fuller T Washington? They called it ‘Emancipation Day’ back then.
Wonderful Juneteenth panel with Lee Henry Jordan (State Director for the National Juneteeth Observance Day), Honorable Judge Lauren Guyton, Quentin Jenkins, and Joy Johnson. Wonderful to hear about the meaning of Juneteeth, freedom for all along with so many African Americans that have contributed so much to the world and Arizona history like Jesse Owens, Jackson 5, Mohammed Ali, Fuller T Washington, Reggie Jackson, the Jackson 5 (whose grandparents had homes in Phx & Northern Az). You too Todd Baily, thank you for invite! photo credits: Redline Designs
Todd Bailey describes the entertainment at Juneteenth, "Thank you so much Ms Liona Edwards and Ms Aubrey Scott for bringing to life an idea I had in my head and heart centered around the beautiful resilient hearts of the black children of the 20th century and those born in enslavement. The beautiful song “Angelitos Negros” arranged, in Spanish by Roberta Flack spoke to me for this piece. We have such a specific history in the Sonoran Desert. I wanted it to resonate with the audience and you two nailed it. Congratulations. I know you both have amazing futures."
Thank you Kathy Blaze Jefferson, for your comedic acting talents. And for your friendship. You made “The Cookout” a scream and the audience loved you. Here’s to your certain future as a thespian!
Nele B Wright You took us back in time on this one! Many people don’t even know that the song “Funky Broadway” is not about NYC… but it’s about a black club in the 1960’s on Broadway Road in Phoenix Arizona. Working with you is always a joy and I know Ms Charlene was there next to your Mother in the audience. I can hear her saying “Toddddd, that was so good, how you captured the feeling of those times!” And I know she is proud of you. Thank you so much babygirl.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank You Khaila L. Shelbe for what was a very very special moment for me and Mother. “Black Leaves” was dedicated to the migration of our family from Money/Greenwood Mississippi to Mesa, Arizona. What would prove to be a very important move for the next generations to come. Khaila I saw you grab up the movement I gave you and come back with more and more “seasonings” on them. I felt the power of black matriarchy as you delivered this piece and I just love working with you. Thank you for making the time to sink your teeth into the moment. It’s hard to find the words to explain how much I adore and respect this Lady’s talent, and hard work ethic. Sandra Bassett, thank you for being open and eager to join forces for the last two Juneteenth Celebrations. I love that I gave you some seedling ideas…and you brought Broadway worthy characters to the stage and so specific to the stories of migrating and settling in Arizona as a black woman. I had to contain my emotions for the second year in a row to keep stage managing. And thank you for singing one of our favorite songs ….These Three Words…. because it’s a timely message. All that matters is love right now. Keep on climbing my Sister. So proud of you. Todd Bailey: My babies!!!! Michael Miles and Micah Brown, you have been my secret weapon for three years and I love the creative process with you all as much as the actual event. Thank you for sharing your talent with me and the community. I know you are both busy and you make time to be fabulous and learn my choreography and besides that, your presence keeps me confident and moving forward when I get a little unsure about my vision. You guys made “Funky Broadway” so much fun. I miss you already!!!
Still Marching” Michael Miles Khaila L. Shelbe Kathy Blaze Jefferson El Zander
was a performance art piece about a few of the ways we have marched together as people here in Arizonas Black History. We marched to the cotton fields in the blazing sun to make Goodyear Tire Company a Fortune 500 company, we marched to baptize in the desert canals among the beautiful desert landscape, and we marched and still march to fight the ongoing fight for human dignity and our rights and against police brutality. The white fabric represented cotton, the blue was water, the red….. was the blood spilled in American streets that have pooled under innocent young men and women. Being black is not synonymous with crime. Black Lives Matter.
