DURHAM, N.C. -- The Durham community gathered on Saturday for the 11th Annual North Carolina Juneteenth Celebration. The event recognized African American Independence Day and gave tribute to the 150 year anniversary of the ending of slavery.
Phyllis Coley, festival organizer, said Juneteenth is not something that's taught in school.
And said she took it upon herself 11 years ago to help lighten and empower the community.
"On April 25 of 1865 the Civil War ended here in Durham North Carolina. It took til’ June 19 of 1865 for the word to get to all the slaves which was all the way through Galveston, Texas. By the time the slaves got the message on June 19 they had a big celebration,” said Coley.
Saturday's event was organized by Spectacular Magazine in conjunction with Triangle Cultural Awareness Foundation.
It included music, prayer, local vendors and enough refreshing lemonade and snow cones to help this crowd brave the nearly triple digit temperature.
For the Ghezzo family and many in attendance, the tragedy in Charleston was still very fresh on their minds.
Juneteenth brought an awareness and mindset to seek help rather than resorting hatred and violence.
"From a family perspective, we talk about it and we want to keep making our society more and more safe, more in a place of acceptance for families like ours,” said Ghezzo.
"I visited the church before and I understand its historical significance and just know, just hope that the individual is brought to justice. It can't restore the lives but it will hopefully justice will prevail and will end the senseless tragedies we've been experiencing lately,” said Tiffany Chavis, a Durham resident.
Organizers said they hope to continue the event next year and hopes Juneteenth celebrations will catch on in more states throughout the country.
The event is currently recognized in 27 states.
In March, three North Carolina senate members introduced a bill that would recognize Juneteenth as a holiday or national day of observance. That bill did pass its first reading, but has since stalled.
For more information about Juneteeth, click here.