MIAMI – Miami’s Liberty City community came together Wednesday morning to mark a significant moment in history.
A celebration of Black excellence unfolded in the city where officials, community leaders and residents gathered to kick off this year’s Juneteenth festivities.
“Black leadership in Miami-Dade County started here in Liberty City. It started in Liberty Square. We stand on the shoulders of what you all did,” said Miami-Dade Commission Chairman Oliver Gilbert.
Against the backdrop of remnants of segregation, Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava also shared her thoughts on the journey toward unity.
“We’re here at this historical wall, a wall that once divided the white community and the Black community,” said Levine Cava. “Now, it’s still here as a symbol of how far we’ve come, and how far we have left to go.”
Wednesday’s ceremony not only paid homage to the past but also honored pioneers in Miami’s medical community, including Dr. Nelson Adams, president of the National Medical Association, who inspired the crowd with his words of encouragement.
“Good, better, best, never lay rest. Not until your good, our good becomes our better, and our better becomes our best,” said Nelson.
As Liberty City commemorates Juneteenth for the second year, the event served as a powerful testament to resilience and progress in the face of historical adversity.
Broward residents, meanwhile, gathered together at the Miramar Cultural Center where there were food trucks, hair braiding and bead making.
The eighth annual South Broward Juneteenth Parade was also held in Hollywood Wednesday morning.
Families gathered at Washington Park for the free event, where there was music, food and entertainment to help celebrate 29 years of freedom.
“I love seeing everybody get together — the unity amongst the people of all colors and nationalities,” said Broward resident Leonta Woods.
Community, progress, resilience and equality is what drew nearly 2000 people to Miramar City Hall to celebrate the historic day.
“The city of Miramar is a very diverse community,” said Miramar Commissioner Yvette Colbourme. “It is so important for us to share our culture…so today, we pause for Juneteenth … for the African American culture”
Local 10 News also got an inside look at a Broward County Transit bus that was repurposed into an educational vehicle.
Within, a Juneteenth exhibition guides you through a historical journey: from the moment of the Emancipation Proclamation signing to the two-and-a-half-year delay before news reached slaves in Galveston, and finally to the official recognition of Juneteenth as a national holiday.
“It’s just really vital that we know where we’ve been and where we’re going,” said Broward resident Vivian Moultry.
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