The Greater Hickory Ministerial Alliance, an organization made up of primarily African American churches, will host a Juneteenth Praise and Worship Celebration on Saturday May 27, 2023 from 3:00pm – 5:00pm at the Brown Penn Recreation Center. Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, the date on which enslaved people in Galveston, Texas finally received the news that they were free. This program is part of a month-long series of Juneteenth events in Catawba County that will begin on May 20, 2023.

The Praise and Worship Celebration will be a lively event featuring spotlights on the history of Juneteenth, music by the Hickory Area Community Gospel Choir under the direction of Min. of Music Tiffany Napier, and speaker the Rev. Diane Conley who is retiring as pastor of Mt. Pisgah AME Church in Hickory. After the program, a covered dish meal featuring traditional Juneteenth “red” foods such as red beans, red rice, and red velvet cake that symbolize resilience and joy will be served. The festive fellowship will include indoor and outdoor dining areas, with special activities for youth as well.

The Juneteenth Praise and Worship Celebration is free and all are welcome to attend. For more information please contact Greater Hickory Ministerial Alliance president, the Rev. Antonio Logan at 828-302-9991 or revlogan37@gmail.com