Eastern Kentucky Social Club hosts first Juneteenth event in Harlan County

HARLAN COUNTY, Ky. (WYMT) – June nineteenth is a major day for these of the Jap Kentucky Social Membership (EKSC) in Lynch.

“Lots of people didn’t know that that is the day of freedom,” stated Maye Melton, Recording Secretary for the Jap Kentucky Social Membership.

To honor at the present time, these with EKSC hosted their first Juneteenth celebration outdoors of the EKSC Lynch Chapter constructing on Sunday.

“It was simply crucial for us to honor the vacation and to do one thing right here in Jap Kentucky for the entire tri-city space as a result of we’ve invited everybody to come back and take part with us,” stated Andrea Massey, President of the Jap Kentucky Social Membership TN Chapter.

Based in 1969, the Jap Kentucky Social Membership served as a corporation for black People with ties to the coalmines of Harlan County to reunite with household and associates.

“We’re nonetheless doing issues; we’re nonetheless right here. We are able to’t do it as large as they do it within the cities, however we will make a distinction. We needed to make a distinction and we needed to be the primary to do it,” stated Massey.

With chapters spanning throughout the nation, the Lynch EKSC chapter needed to not solely host this occasion to honor the that means of Juneteenth, however to proceed the group’s development proper right here within the mountains.

“It’s gratifying and enjoyable, you recognize, to see the younger folks, at the very least, to attempt to take a begin to maintain it happening.” stated Gean Austin, the oldest residing member of the Jap Kentucky Social Membership.

By way of training, nice meals and a love of their group, the members of the EKSC Lynch Chapter hope to proceed their mission and proceed this custom of honoring Juneteenth for a few years to come back.

“You may all the time assume that in the event you’re in Jap Kentucky, that you simply’re in Jap Kentucky, that you simply’re unnoticed of the issues,” added Massey. “I feel that it was crucial for me to play the function to assist the Jap Kentucky Social Membership deliver this forth that we’re right here, we need to be well-represented and well-known.”

Massey, who was additionally one of many occasion’s coordinators, stated she hopes to achieve much more group involvement for subsequent 12 months’s occasion.

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