Denise Vickers - Leon
ECB Publishing, Inc.
There was something for everyone, on every level in Jefferson County on May 20, to commemorate Emancipation Day, the day when the proclamation by President Abraham Lincoln abolishing slavery in Florida was read on the steps of the Knott House in Tallahassee. The Community Friends of Jefferson County, which has been hosting celebration events since 2009 at various churches and on other rural properties, decided to relocate this year to the Jefferson County Recreation Park. The decision to move was based on the event being more accessible to the county's diverse population. From all appearances they greatly succeeded.
There were vendors available for almost anything you could think of. From clothes and jewelry to hot dogs and barbecue. The Family of Friends band was outstanding as they belted out tunes for every age and musical genre. Healthcare workers from the Florida Department of Health had an impressive display of free products and valuable information. Pastor and City Councilman John Jones Jr. was jubilant over the turnout, which he said was reminiscent of times long ago when churches hosted the celebration. 
He saw the event as one of the greatest opportunities to bring all people together to learn and celebrate. Meanwhile, more celebration was taking place at the St. Phillip Community Center.
The St. Phillip Community Center may be the only recreation center in the small community but there was nothing small about their Emancipation Day fish fry and fundraiser. My hat goes off to Tawana James and the other organizers who strategically placed the vendors in such a way that it was almost impossible to not stop at every site and purchase something. Sarah Robinson, who'd come from Tallahassee to support the event, stated that she was sure that there'd be no room or money left by the time she got to the fish. That was, until someone opened the kitchen door and the smell of fresh fish wafted outside. Attendees inside were mesmerized by Kyle Harris, Ph.D., Bethel AME Church Board of Stewards and FAMU Assistant Professor of History and African-American Studies, who gave a fascinating presentation entitled, Black Emancipation: Past, Present and Future. The look of reflective memory on the faces of some of the senior citizens listening was quite compelling. The best example of the presentation topic was still yet to come.
As the children were happily running around, snow cones in hand, D.J. Chuck kept the music pumping to the delight of all, but nothing could compare to the sight and sound of the Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club of Florida rolling up the street and into the parking lot. Men and women dressed in their signature black and gold on motorcycles far beyond the average class or caliber. Their presence highlighted the epitome of what the St. Philip Community Center sought to achieve in their Emancipation Day fundraiser, to come together in celebration of the past and use the present to build for the future.
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