SWAMPSCOTT — The gusting winds across Town Hall Lawn may have rattled tents and sent participants chasing loose papers, but they did not blow away Swampscott’s Juneteenth celebration as residents gathered to honor history, community, and the pursuit of freedom for all.
The event, held on Thursday, was organized through a partnership between S.U.R.E. Diversity, Swampscott High School METCO coordinators Temi Bailey and Krista Lynch, the Swampscott Recreation Department, and the North Shore Juneteenth Association. It featured poetry, spoken-word performances, student readings, music, and reflections on the significance of Juneteenth.
Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, and informed enslaved people that they were free — more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation.
Throughout the event, speakers emphasized not only the historical significance of the holiday, but its continued importance today.
Representatives from the North Shore Juneteenth Association delivered remarks that highlighted both the importance of remembering the past and continuing conversations about equality, opportunity, and community.
Terry Carter, a local poet and member of the North Shore Juneteenth Association, delivered an original spoken-word piece tracing the history of Juneteenth and the difficult road forged by Black Americans, through military service, emancipation, reconstruction, and the Jim Crow era. His performance echoed both the celebration of freedom and the challenges that followed.
“Juneteenth signals freedom’s light, a final end to that dark night,” Carter recited. “Celebrate community. Gather with friends in unity. Hug your neighbor and shake a hand as freedom rings across the land.”
The program also featured readings and reflections on what Juneteenth means to local students, and the Langston Hughes poem “Let America Be America Again,” read by Bailey.
The Juneteenth Address was delivered by North Shore Juneteenth Association member Kashawn McRavion-Little, who described Juneteenth as both a celebration and a call to action.
“We gather in the community to honor Juneteenth, a day that represents both a historic moment and an ongoing journey toward freedom,” McRavion-Little said. “Freedom is not merely declared; it must be protected. It must be passed to future generations.”
McRavion-Little said the holiday serves as a reminder of the resilience of Black Americans and the importance of remaining engaged in civil rights causes. He also spoke about the importance of creating communities where people feel welcomed and valued.
“Who belongs in the American Story?” he asked. “The answer must be all of us, because belonging is more than being present. Belonging means being seen, being valued, being respected, being protected, and being heard.”
The speaking portion of the event concluded with participants gathering for a march to the Town Hall flagpole as Janey David sang “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” often referred to as the Black National Anthem. Written by brothers James Weldon Johnson and J. Rosamond Johnson in the early 20th century, the song followed residents and organizers as they marched together for the raising of the Juneteenth flag, marking the holiday’s recognition in Swampscott.
