The nationally broadcast webinar featured nationally known educator Dr. Yolanda Sealey-Ruiz in keynote address
HOUSTON, June 17, 2021 – Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston (BGCGH) joined with Boys & Girls Clubs of America on June 17 for a national, livestreamed webinar to recognize and celebrate Juneteenth and its importance in our country’s history. One of the highlights of the program was a speech by Robert Ellis, a Galveston native who was chosen as BGCGH Youth of the Year in February and is a member of the Johnny Mitchell Club in Galveston. His message focused on “The Importance of Juneteenth.” Nationally known educator, Yolanda Sealey-Ruiz, Ph.D., delivered the keynote address, “Revealing the Past to Change the Future: On the Occasion of Juneteenth.”
On June 19, 1865 – more than two years after the end of the Civil War – Union Soldiers reached Galveston, Texas, with the news that the war was over and enslaved people were free. The holiday received its name by combining June and 19. The day is also sometimes called “Juneteenth Independence Day,” “Freedom Day” or “Emancipation Day.”
Ellis’s speech was broadcast from Reedy Chapel African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church in Galveston, which has been a history maker itself. The church’s origins date back to 1848 when Black slaves were given the land at 20th Street and Broadway by their white owners for a place of worship. The slaves worshipped outside until a structure was built. Reedy was one of the locations in which General Order #3 was read, announcing the end of slavery in Texas.
Kicking off the livestream presentation at Reedy Chapel AME Church in Galveston was Clifford Grimes, Director of Organizational Development – Southwest Region for Boy & Girls Clubs of America, who gave the welcoming address. He then introduced Zenae Campbell, Vice President of Program Services and Club Operations for Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston, and one of the event organizers, who explained what Juneteenth is and the importance of Galveston Island, before turning it over to Ellis.
Ellis gave a powerful speech in which he called Juneteenth “a celebration, but also a reminder that we owe it to ourselves and our ancestors to continue the important work of racial equality.” He noted that Reedy started as a school to educate African Americans and thanked the “mother church of Texas.” Education is a priority to Ellis, an honor student from Galveston Ball High School who has received a full scholarship to Xavier University, a Historically Black College in New Orleans.
Additionally, Ellis gave a nod to Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. with the iconic phrase, “we shall overcome,” emphasizing that it is “we” and not just “I” in the movement for equality. He offered a powerful quote, “blessed are those who plant trees with shade they will never see,” in a reference to his ancestors and other African Americans who made sacrifices for future generations. He ended his speech with a poem he wrote to commemorate Juneteenth.
“We were honored to be an integral part of BGCA’s Juneteenth celebration that told this important story to a national audience,” says Kevin Hattery, President and CEO of Boy & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston. “Robert Ellis, our Youth of the Year, was eloquent and wise beyond his years in the speech he delivered.”
Hattery noted that this a momentous week for Juneteenth, with the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives passing a bill to make Juneteenth an official federal holiday, now signed by President Biden. “The Juneteenth National Independence Day Act will bring even greater attention and understanding to this period in our history,” says Hattery.
For more information about Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston, please visit www.bgcgh.org.
Photo caption: Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston (BGCGH) joined with Boys & Girls Clubs of America on June 17 for a national, livestreamed webinar to recognize and celebrate Juneteenth and its importance in our country’s history. One of the highlights of the program was a speech by Robert Ellis, a Galveston native who was chosen as BGCGH Youth of the Year in February and is a member of the Johnny Mitchell Club in Galveston. His message focused on “The Importance of Juneteenth.”
Link to photos here
Photo credit: Andres Garcia
About Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston
Our mission is to inspire and enable all youth, especially those who need us most, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens. Our vision is to put success within reach for our Club members and keep them on track to graduate high school. We help them realize a positive plan for the future that includes good character, citizenship, workforce readiness and a healthy lifestyle. Each year, more than 30,000 youth ages 6 to 17 walk through our doors for our after-school and summer programs. At our Clubs, youth are provided meals, strong role models, homework assistance, organized athletics, character development and access to the arts.
Membership costs just $10 per schoolyear and $25 for the entire summer. BGCGH is a great place to work and is taking applications for summer jobs, as well as for positions in the fall.
We are a United Way agency. For more information, visit our website www.bgcgh.org. At Boys & Girls Clubs, we do whatever it takes to build great futures!