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‘What does freedom mean to you?’ Charlotte Observer hosts Juneteenth workshop

Barbarette Talley, right, of the Queen City Senior African Drummers, plays the djembe alongside several of her groupmates for a crowd of young children during the Juneteenth Festival of the Carolinas culture day camp Thursday, June 16, 2022, at Elizabeth Traditional Elementary School in Charlotte, N.C.
Barbarette Talley, right, of the Queen City Senior African Drummers, plays the djembe alongside several of her groupmates for a crowd of young children during the Juneteenth Festival of the Carolinas culture day camp Thursday, June 16, 2022, at Elizabeth Traditional Elementary School in Charlotte, N.C. atrickett-wile@charlotteobserver

Join The Charlotte Observer and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Library on Wednesday, June 18 for an engaging discussion and workshop about Juneteenth.

Made a federal holiday in 2021, the ways to honor and celebrate Juneteenth are evolving– especially given rapid challenges to civil rights, social justice and diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.

What does freedom mean to us in the modern age? Here is your opportunity to be a part of the conversation.

Juneteenth workshop on Wednesday, June 18, hosted by The Charlotte Observer and Charlotte Mecklenburg Library
Juneteenth workshop on Wednesday, June 18, hosted by The Charlotte Observer and Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Tamia Boyd, Charlotte Observer staff

Bring your questions and viewpoints to our round-table discussion featuring our Charlotte Observer journalists and guest speakers: Kenny Robinson, founder and president of Freedom Fighting Missionaries and Civil Rights Attorney Geraldine Sumter, managing partner with Ferguson Chambers & Sumter, P.A.

The program begins with our guest speakers sharing their backgrounds, stories of freedom and their journey to inspire attendees.

Later, we’ll break into small table groups guided by Observer journalists to unpack ideas of freedom with specific discussion points.

The program runs from 6 - 7:30 p.m., at the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library - University City Regional 5528 Waters Edge Village Dr.

Light refreshments and beverages will be offered. Registration is required.

See you there! RSVP here.

This story was originally published May 30, 2025 at 6:00 AM.

Lisa Vernon Sparks
The Charlotte Observer
Lisa Vernon Sparks was the Race, Culture and Community Engagement Editor for The Charlotte Observer. Previously she was an Opinion Editor with the Richmond Times-Dispatch in Virginia. She is an alumna of Columbia University in New York and Northeastern University in Boston. Support my work with a digital subscription
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