Kumbayah The Juneteenth Story

Kumbayah...The Juneteenth Story is a fictional, two-act play that addresses a factual and traumatic event - the rape of emancipation against African people who were held as captives in the United States. Lewis, is a brilliant young slave who is about to turn twenty-one years old. As a birthday present, Mastah Turner has promised Lewis his freedom. In 1863, while on a cattle-selling trip in Galveston, Texas for the ailing Mastah Turner, Lewis learns that President Abraham Lincoln has freed the slaves. As he returns to the plantation, exuberant over the news of freedom, Lewis is stopped by Pattyrollers (slave catchers). Since Lewis knows the guarded secret, fatality becomes inevitable. Over the next two and a half years, his mythical spirit (perhaps interpreted by devout storytellers as John De Conqueror) soars over the earth and through the skies as an eagle serving as a "protector" to his people. Finally, word of freedom gets delivered to the Texas captives via General Gordon Granger who issues the mandate on June 19, 1865... thus the term Juneteenth.

This play within a play opens in the present time in a Minneapolis, Minnesota soul-food restaurant where a group of youth discuss the meaning of Juneteenth. They decide to attend a play on the subject and the story shifts into the American Civil War era, with Frederick Douglass as narrator. While on a cattle selling trip for his Master, Lewis, a young slave, learns that Abraham Lincoln has freed the slaves. To prevent this knowledge from spreading to other slaves, Lewis is murdered by slave patrollers. Over the next two years, Lewis's spirit works to protect his people until the 1865 Juneteenth announcement of freedom.

The Juneteenth Story is an illustrated history of Juneteenth for kids, detailing its evolution from the first celebration in 1865 until it became a national holiday in 2021.

This exploration of model storytelling projects shows librarians how to expand their roles as keepers of the stories while strengthening their communities. Community life is built on its stories. Our history and culture—those of society and of individuals—are passed from generation to generation through stories. Engaging Community through Storytelling: Library and Community Programming examines a wide variety of model storytelling projects across the country, reflecting how storytelling can encourage community attachment, identity, and expression in libraries, community centers, and schools. The contributed essays—written by experts in their fields, many of whom served as developer, fundraiser, director, and implementer of their project—provide detailed information about the inner workings of a wide variety of model storytelling projects from across the country. The authors delineate the need, scope, and audience for each project and offer riveting anecdotes that evaluate the success of that project. Many of the articles are accompanied by one or more photographs documenting the work or practical how-to-do-it guides to encourage and enable replication. Thoughtful commentary on and review of the key concepts in each chapter are provided by the book's editors.

Juneteenth is usually celebrated on June 19. It honors the day in 1865 when Union troops swept into Galveston, Texas, and told the elated slaves there that they were free. This accessible volume delves into the American Civil War, the Emancipation Proclamation, and the events that led to this special holiday for African Americans and everyone who celebrates the end of slavery in the United States. Carefully chosen photographs reflect this special commemoration, both in the past and today.

"Juneteenth, which is celebrated each year on June 19, commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. Interestingly, this holiday began in 1865--more than two years after President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. News spread much slower back then, and when slaves in Texas finally learned of their freedom, the holiday was born. In this book, readers are given an in-depth look at the history of Juneteenth, including the events leading up to its creation. Readers will love learning about how this important moment in U.S. history is celebrated each year"--

"In You Choose format, explores the history of Juneteenth Day, including the Emancipation Proclamation, the post-Civil War South, and efforts to end racism"--