As Juneteenth approaches, let’s take a moment to thank and remember the brave, resilient, and the determined for change. Juneteenth is the celebration of the end of slavery. Though slavery was abolished in 1863 under the Emancipation Proclamation, it still took two years until enslaved people in the South knew they were free. It took a group of Union soldiers traveling to the south proclaiming slavery is over and is now illegal. It wasn’t until June 19, 1865 that the final group of slaves from Texas learned that they were free. Although hardship remains for African Americans today, June 19, we celebrate, we rejoice, we sing, we dance, and host cookouts.
Buffalo, New York has a piece of BLACK history right in our backyard. Colored Musicians Club is located at 145 Broadway, Buffalo NY 14203. The Colored Musicians Club is the only remaining African American Club in the United States. This club was formed because a union refused to include African American musicians. This became where musicians gather after working all day, to enjoy good music among other black people. There have been numerous iconic artists to perform here such as Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, and Miles Davis. The Colored Musicians Club hosts a Jazz Museum that continues to be open to explore and learn our history. Take time to visit this historic landmark when you’re downtown.
Shamecca DeJarnette
Clinician III
