Once you meet ninety-six-year-old Opal Lee, “The Grandmother of Juneteenth”, you’ll never forget her. Beneath the petite exterior and soft-spoken demeanor lies a courageous, patient woman with the heart of a lion and an unbridled determination. It’s not at all difficult to see why she’s attracted, charmed, and won over politicians, community stakeholders, and supporters from every echelon of our society. Her dynamic spirit is omnipresent.
Lee, a tireless advocate, community organizer, and retired educator, traveled from her home in Fort Worth, Texas, to the City of Philadelphia to support the 2023 raising of the Juneteenth Flag in the square at City Hall to commemorate the federal holiday.
At the Philadelphia flag-raising, Lee spoke of her journey to make Juneteenth a holiday and urged young people to get in on the issues that affect their communities. “Joblessness, homelessness, healthcare that some of us can and can’t get, and climate change that we’re all responsible for…if we don’t do something about it, we’re all going to hell in a handbasket. It’s your responsibility, and I ask that you not take it lightly,” said Lee.
Philadelphia’s raising of the Juneteenth flag has become a tradition here in the city.
“Lift Every Voice and Sing” and “America the Beautiful,” were flawlessly performed by vocalist Felicia Wilkins and the Juneteenth Singers.
Following traditional prayer, Islamic prayer, Emcee Kofi Asante of the Philadelphia Juneteenth Family proceeded with the pouring of libations in the Akai tradition to honor the ancestors and the asking of elders for permission to pray. The first elder from whom permission to pray was Opal Lee, who gave her consent after which he recited the names of those who came before…Malcolm X, Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Martin Luther King, Black Civil War Soldiers, and all those weary souls who lost their lives coming to North America.
Drummers from the Urban Guerilla Orchestra dis- played the magic of African-Caribbean melodies as their hands seemed to float across the drums. The audience swayed to the rhythmic drum beats drifting through the air.
Seven-year-old Ava Brown drew generous applause from those in attendance for her stellar recitation of Langston Hughes’ “Freedom.”
Members of the Black Male Community Council held the official Juneteenth flag, as the creator of that flag, Ben Haith, described his inspiration. Haith, a guest of honor at the flag-raising ceremony. He designed the flag 25 years ago as an organizer in Boston. Before that, he’d only heard of the holiday and rediscovered , …
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