‘It is for all of us:’ Charlotte celebrates Juneteenth for 25th year

CHARLOTTE — Tens of thousands are expected to turnout as Charlotte celebrates its 25th year honoring the Juneteenth holiday this weekend.

Festivities are planned across the city, but a parade, street festival and the Freedom and Unity March in Plaza Midwood will be the hallmark event.

The idea to create the Juneteenth Festival of the Carolinas was born 25 years inside the House of Africa on Thomas Avenue.

Pape Ndiaye was the man behind the dream, “to learn about their rich history and powerful heritage,” he said.

It all began on the streets of Plaza Midwood. A dream that wasn’t easy to bring to fruition.

“Hard, yes, but it was good, with a thousand people in front of House of Africa,” Ndiaye said.

From 1,000 participants back then to the tens of thousands that are expected this year, the event has come a long way.

“The festival, for me, is the unity of this community, because I believe we can use unity as a tool to educate about the rich culture of Africa and the powerful heritage.

Everyone coming together, celebrating the day when in 1865 slaves in Galveston, Texas, learned they were free, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed.

Ndiaye said he believes this weekend’s event, filled with education, food, music and much more, is for everyone.

“I believe that Juneteenth is not just an African-American holiday, but it is part of American history, so we all can celebrate Juneteenth,” Ndiaye said. “It is for all of us, all Americans.”

The festival runs from Thursday to Sunday in Plaza Midwood. Organizers anticipated between 15,000 and 20,000 people will join the celebration.

(WATCH BELOW: 2022 Juneteenth celebrations in the Charlotte area)