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Juneteenth Through the Years: A DSU 4-H Tribute to Freedom

 

Emancipation Proclamation

Emancipation Proclamation

 

DSU 4-H Juneteenth participants with Dr. US Washington, Jr.

DSU 4-H Juneteenth participants with Dr. US Washington, Jr., (1920 - 2018) 
for whom the Cooperative Extension building was named.

Juneteenth Educational & Enrichment Celebration

DSU Cooperative Extension’s 4-H and Youth Development program is actively involved in making a difference in the lives of youths from underserved communities throughout Delaware. Since 2006, The Juneteenth Educational & Enrichment Celebration—the brainchild of Mrs. Beverly C. Banks, 4-H and Youth Development agent, and 4-H volunteers Dr. Paulette Brittingham-Stevens, Ms.TaMaira Banks and Mrs. Miriam Brittingham—is held during the month of June to commemorate June 19, 1865, the date that enslaved people living in Galveston, Texas, received word that President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation two years prior. DSU’s Juneteenth youth program provides various social and community learning activities and projects for the young women and men who participate.  

The Juneteenth program includes Adventure Camp Surprise for boys and Juneteenth Celebration for girls; both activities provide opportunities for youths from diverse backgrounds to participate, regardless of socioeconomic status. During the week-long program, youths participate in seminars, workshops, hands-on learning activities, leadership sessions, educational field tours, and academic enrichment forums, and prepare 4-H entries for the Delaware State Fair. These activities help prepare young people for future leadership roles. 

4-H Juneteenth

Quilting: An African American Tradition

Ann Martin

DSU 4-H Juneteenth participants learn the history of quilting in the African American community 
from retired Cooperative Extension Family and Consumer Sciences Educator Ann Martin.
Quilt making was a cultural tradition of enslaved Africans that has survived for generations.
Quilts containing symbols were supposedly hung along the Underground Railroad to indicate safe houses.

VIDEO>>> DSU 4-H Juneteenth_quilting<<<VIDEO

  

 

DSU 4-H Juneteenth participants visit the DSU Aviation park

DSU 4-H Juneteenth participants learn about careers in the clouds during a visit
DSU’s aviation program at Delaware Air Park.

Due to COVID-19-related limitations concerning public safety, the Juneteenth program was suspended for 2020 and 2021. On June 19, 2022, Mrs. Banks will lead a small group of youths and adults in a Juneteenth history trivia event to include the distribution of commemorative tokens.  

Community volunteers, leaders, Delaware State University staff, and local and state businesses assist with the program. It is designed to bridge the gap between non-traditional and traditional 4-H involvement, and it has positively impacted participants’ lives.

History of Juneteenth