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MARIETTA -- Tony Mayle knows it takes a village of support to embrace diversity and celebrate the local and national history.
That's why he has invited the community to campus for Marietta College's Juneteenth Celebration from 4-7 p.m. Friday, June 17, in the green space next to the Hermann Fine Arts Center on Butler Street.
"Juneteenth, which is short for June 19, is the day federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, in 1865 to take control of the state. Those troops were there to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation that ensured that all enslaved people were freed," Tony Mayle, director of Diversity and Inclusion and associate dean of students at Marietta College, said.
The day became a federal holiday in 2021.
Like the popular Multicultural Festival and Lunar New Year Celebration, Marietta's Juneteenth commemoration also aims to draw large numbers of people from the school and community.
"We will offer a raffle, guest speakers, music, games, educational items, nd free food for everyone who attends our celebration," said Robert Nelson, coordinator of Diversity & Inclusion. "Our food items will represent the color red, which brings recognition to the bloodshed of the enslaved before and during their struggles for emancipation."
Diversity and Inclusion also is looking for sponsors for the celebration. Businesses and organizations interested in becoming a sponsor can contact Mayle at aam006@marietta.edu or at (740) 376-3287.
Students Hannah McKain of Parkersburg, Kaelyn Smith of Parkersburg and Tucker Nelson of Coshocton are working in with Diversity and Inclusion this summer to coordinate the event.
"It is important for the community to be involved with campus events one because it shows support for the college and we can educate the community as well as students on campus for a historical celebration," McKain said. "It's important to recognize all of the people that worked to make this a real holiday as well as providing a way for the community to be empathetic for the enslavement of human beings."