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Danvers observance marks Juneteenth with speeches, poetry and proclamation
Summary
The Town of Danvers and the North Shore Juneteenth Association held a Juneteenth observance featuring speeches on racial equity, a spoken-word performance and a historical reading of General Order No. 3. Organizers urged that Juneteenth’s meaning be carried beyond the ceremony and into ongoing community action.
The Town of Danvers Human Rights and Inclusion Committee and the North Shore Juneteenth Association held a Juneteenth observance on Juneteenth that combined a historical reading, speeches on racial equity and a spoken-word performance.
Nicole McClain, founder and president of the North Shore Juneteenth Association and a counselor at large for the city of Lynn, delivered the event’s primary remarks, saying the holiday "calls us to hold both truths at the same time" — to name ongoing injustice while intentionally building solidarity. "Freedom for Black Americans has always been incomplete," McClain said, urging preservation of Black culture and greater civic investment.
The program included a spoken-word performance by Khalil Jacobs, who recited a poem about the challenges faced by young Black Americans and repeatedly intoned the refrain, "Young black in America, it ain't fair," urging resilience and self-worth among youth. Following the performance, organizers noted the scheduled singer was unable to attend and that a recorded rendition of the Black National Anthem would be played as part of the program.
Johan, speaking for the Human Rights and Inclusion Committee, acknowledged local officials and community partners in attendance — including the high school principal, town manager, library trustees and police — and introduced a historical reading. A Smith School student, Jameson Hampton, read a brief account of Major General Gordon Granger’s 1865 General Order No. 3 and said the announcement made freedom for many formerly enslaved people a reality.
Organizers emphasized that Juneteenth is not only a day of remembrance but also a call to ongoing work in the community. "Let us carry the spirit of Juneteenth beyond this gathering," Johan said, thanking youth participants and urging Danvers residents to sustain inclusive practices throughout the year. The Human Rights and Inclusion Committee then invited its members forward for a group photograph and concluded the program.
No formal votes or municipal actions were announced during the event; the gathering functioned as a ceremonial observance and community program.
