NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) – Hundreds came out to continue Juneteenth celebrations at the Navy Yard Charleston.
Nonprofits Black Expo and Charleston Wine and Food hosted a cookout and block party in celebration of the Juneteenth holiday. The holiday marks the day of June 19, 1865, to remember the end of slavery in the United States.
The holiday celebration is the first Juneteenth event for both nonprofits despite past partnerships in similar events.
Charleston Black Expo President Darrin Thomas says the idea is to celebrate the holiday uniquely by highlighting African American-owned businesses.
“We’ve got African American entities, restaurants, caterers, you’ve got proprietors who have all done well, who have historical roots in Charleston,” Thomas says. “We’ve got 12 African American-owned wine and spirits. If you look at the uniqueness of people of color in that space, it just shows the progress.”
Vendor and Owner of Middleton Made Knives, Quintin Middleton, began making knives back in 2003. He has participated in similar events with Charleston Wine + Food for the last 15 years.
Middleton says these moments highlight the meaning of Juneteenth as it is an opportunity for Black vendors to share their culture and passion all in one space.
“I want to build something for the community so that I can employ people from my community and breathe life back into our community, like jobs or even an entrepreneur mindset,” Middleton says. “So where it takes somebody like myself starting in their backyard. You can do it too.”
Middleton says it is also an opportunity to inspire other people in the community.
“Being able to shine a light for other younger Black girls, Black sons, Black daughters to show them that you don’t have to be the football player, you don’t have to be the doctor,” Middleton says. “We are more, we are multifaceted, so being able to do something in your lane and be happy with it.”
Thomas says there is a bigger push behind celebrating the holiday this year. He says the event offers a comfortable space for people of color.
“While there’s a purpose, there’s a greater need,’ Thomas says. “Because we see people saying, ‘Now more than ever we need to be in those kinds of spaces and environments to remind us where we’ve come and even though we’ve seen newfound challenges…there’s work to be done.’”
Around 200 guests participated in the festivities, including Aleena Feaster, who joined in on the fun with her sister. Feaster says it is important for her to be surrounded by the community.
“Sometimes you don’t see that as much in Charleston, or like within the Black community,” Feaster says. “And so I know that’s a place we’re trying to explore, we’re trying to broaden that span for us, so it’s a great opportunity.”
The event is a part of the nonprofit partnership’s Summer Sizzle series, which is five culinary series of events.
Upcoming events can be found on the Charleston Wine + Food website.
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