Homage to Our Legacy, East Brunswick’s first Juneteenth Celebration

  The Lost Souls Public Memorial Project and the Township of East Brunswick announce An Homage to Our Legacy and Juneteenth Celebration to be held on Saturday, June 15, 2024 beginning at 1:30pm. This is the first ever Juneteenth event sponsored by the Township of East Brunswick.

This free event is open to the public and appropriate for all ages and will be held at the East Brunswick Community Arts Center at 721 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick, NJ 08816. Guests are invited to gather at 1:30pm for a reception and refreshments before the program opens that will feature a “picture is worth a thousand words”. Visual Story-Photos and the stories behind them. Trustees of the Lost Souls Public Memorial Project will welcome those in attendance and share information about the work of the Project.

Kristal Langford, VP and Historian of the Lost Souls Public Memorial Project will deliver a presentation on the actualization of Eliza’s and her descendants’ freedom through General Order No. 3 on June 19th, 1865, which is commemorated as Juneteenth. LSP has enlisted the expertise of New Jersey native Amber Betances, a talented Landscape Architect based in New York and a proud alumnus of Rutgers University, to bring the memorial to life. During the event, guests will have the chance to explore a flip book showcasing a collection of images intended to ignite inspiration for the design of the remembrance garden.

An Homage to Our Legacy will also feature the Marshall Hand & Drum Ensemble, a multi-percussion instrumental group, MHD brings the musical African Diaspora drumming aspects to life lead by percussionist Victor Marshall. New Jersey based poet Liane Stone/Golden Sapphyre will perform an original piece inspired by the Lost Souls. The event will conclude with African drumming by the Black Circle Symphony, remarks from Mayor Cohen of East Brunswick, and the raising of the Juneteenth flag by members of the Scouts.