RICHMOND GLOBE
June 20 - 26, 2007

Richmond’s Juneteenth Festival
Draws Hundreds to Nicholl Park

By Clifford L. Williams

Southern Belles, Spiderman, Sponge Bob and characters from the WIZ, entertained Richmond residents during the City’s Annual Juneteenth Family Day and Festival and Parade at Nicholl Park. The parade and festival were sponsored by the National Brotherhood Alliance, the cities of Richmond and San Pablo, and the West Contra Costa County Unified School District.

As part of the ceremonies, a special recognition and acknowledgement was made to several African-American Scholars who made the fall and spring Honor Rolls at their high schools.

The students were each given a certificate and a special concert was held in their honor on the Youth Stage by the Bay Area hiphop rap group FRONTLINE. Jerrold L. Hatchett, co-founder and President of the National Brotherhood Alliance, who has coordinated the Richmond’s Juneteenth Parade and Festival for the past seven years, said the event was about bringing the community together and recognizing the youth.

“The NBA works with students throughout West Contra Costa County year round acting as mentors and providing scholarships for the students,” said Hatchett. “This year, we designed special certificates for the scholars to honor their achievements and encourage them to keep up the good work as they continue their education.”
De Anza High School graduate Darnice Davis, one of the honored scholars, said she was “really shocked and surprised to hear we would be honored in the parade because we represent students from al across the entire district.”

Amari Harris, a De Anza High School sophomore, said being an honor roll student “made my parents really proud and it’s a good feeling for me also.” said Harris.

Rosalyn Davis, the parent of honor roll student Alisha Barnett, said she was very proud of her daughter’s accomplishments. “We believe in education and we talk about studying, he future and the importance of getting an education,” she said.

Mayor Gayle McLaughlin who led the parade, said the day was “a wonderful, wonderful opportunity to honor and celebrate the historic struggle and ancestry of African-Americans.” Richmond City Councilman Tony Thurmond echoed the Mayor’s comments regarding acknowledging the scholars during the festival. “I think it is appropriate we are honoring the young people who have achieved so much and have made great accomplishments,” said Thurmond.