It's Year Five! What an incredible journey it's been, dedicating our talents to fostering cultural appreciation and equity in the grassroots South. Based in Dothan, we've learned to cherish the process of building the spaces we once only imagined. From hard-won victories like our parade route justice, to vital grant awards, to challenging dialogues and community unification, we're driven to keep moving forward.
This year, we turn our attention to the Alabama River Region: a pivotal location in American history. We've compiled a treasure trove of stories, knowledge often missing from textbooks and news cycles.
Prepare to be challenged: Why were you unaware of the depth of Black artistic contributions? Why was the Vietnamese immigration of the 80s hidden from your history books? What was the US Coast Guard's vital role in stopping human traffickers? Who knew Hispanic men served in the Civil War? How were Indigenous families entangled in the slave trade, and what role did Black people play in the Creek War?
We believe that uncovering these truths will ignite hope. Hope that Black, Hispanic, Indigenous, and Asian stories are woven into the very fabric of Alabama. We simply need to dig deeper and invest in sharing them.
As we explore the River Region's history, we hope you embrace this investment of time and energy with open minds and a sense of excitement for the future.
Between the 1865 Legend’s Ball, the Dothan Juneteenth Parade and the Dothan Juneteenth Business Expo and Celebration, our teams are excited to present some memorable events for you this year to kickoff Freedom Month. We encourage you to share our events with your communities, schools, and churches. Follow us on social media platforms, Facebook and Instagram, to stay up to date with all things Juneteenth.
It's Year Five, everyone--let's go deeper.
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