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Release Date: 
Monday, June 27, 2022

HFC Juneteenth Gala was a celebration of African-American culture and community

Santana, Bazzi, and Gater.
From L-R: Sen. Sylvia Santana, Dearborn Heights Mayor Bill Bazzi, and Dearborn Heights School District 7 Board of Trustees Vice President Latanya Gater talk at HFC's first Juneteenth gala.

In collaboration with prominent HFC alumnus/social justice advocate Byron Brooks through his non-profit From the Hood For the Hood, HFC celebrated its first Juneteenth gala on June 17 in the Welcome Center.

Keynote speakers

Dearborn Heights School District 7 Board of Education Vice-President Latanya Gater gave the opening remarks. Senator Gary Peters could not attend the event as originally planned, but he did send his support via a video.

HFC President Russell Kavalhuna and his family joined the gathering. The festivities also included a fashion show that was put on by HFC Student Success Navigator Kierra Wilson, who is also the founder of OMG KeyDaBrand and a licensed cosmetologist. Wilson was recently featured in Michigan Fashion Week.

“It was a very successful event. In fact, it was sold out. We aim to make this an annual tradition at the College,” said HFC Student Success Navigator Leslie Windless, one of the gala’s organizers. “The HFC Community Service Club volunteered the night before to decorate and help out, and they did a fantastic job. Our speakers were top notch. It was truly a night of fun, entertainment, education, and celebration of African-American culture.”

History of Juneteenth

Juneteenth is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the emancipation of enslaved people after the end of the Civil War. Juneteenth marks the anniversary of the announcement of General Order No. 3 by Union Army Gen. Gordon Granger on June 19, 1865, proclaiming freedom for enslaved people. Juneteenth has been observed annually on June 19.

In 2021, President Joe Biden recognized Juneteenth as federal holiday when he signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act.

Kavalhuna and Brooks recently narrated a video about the significance of Juneteenth.

“It is the oldest holiday recognizing the end of slavery in the United States,” said Kavalhuna.

Added Brooks: “Juneteenth is more than just a holiday. It is not enough just to commemorate Juneteenth as a holiday, but we as a people – we as communities – must utilize this time of Juneteenth to get into the fight: the fight for justice, the fight for equity, the fight for love. That is what Juneteenth means to me. I hope you celebrate Juneteenth this year by being the change we seek.”