The celebration in downtown Aurora Wednesday afternoon was about freedom and life.
For the third year, Aurora raised the Juneteenth flag, talking about the freedom the holiday itself represents, and the life of the woman for whom Aurora’s Juneteenth flag-raising is dedicated to, Scheketa Hart-Burns.
It was exactly a year ago on June 19, 2023, that word began circulating around the flag-raising event that Hart-Burns, the 7th Ward City Council member for 32 years and a dedicated community activist, had died that morning.
Now, a year later, the Juneteenth event at One Aurora Plaza downtown is a tradition, and it’s dedicated in Hart-Burns’ memory.
Clayton Muhammad, Aurora’s chief communications and equity officer and a senior advisor to Mayor Richard Irvin, said Hart-Burns “not only left big shoes to fill,” but also a legacy.
“You know she’s looking down and liking this party with a purpose,” he said.
The party with a purpose featured entertainment from local talent and celebrities from outside. From Aurora, the 40+ Double Dutch Club of the Fry’s Family YMCA of both Aurora and Naperville danced and jumped rope, showing off the skills of women more than 40 years old – even up into their 80s.
Young women from the Aurora-based Dream Dance Academy, a Black-owned business, showed off some modern dance and some good, old-fashioned gospel.
And the city featured Mr. Black Aurora and Miss Black Aurora, the king and queen of the Royal Court. The king is Kam’ron Tolliver, from West Aurora High School, and the queen is Ky’Aire Evans, of Oswego East High School. The princess of the Royal Court, Waubonsie Valley High School junior Miyah Harden, was also present.
They presided over Irvin’s presentation of the Juneteenth holiday declaration. Irvin said the city not only recognizes the holiday, and Hart-Burns’ life, but “we are celebrating Black excellence.”
At the event, Maj. Gen. Rodney Boyd Sr., the first Black commander of the Illinois National Guard, called Juneteenth “our nation’s second Independence Day.”
“Juneteenth represents victory over slavery,” he said.
He pointed out that while slavery ended many years ago, “the mission for equality is ongoing today.”
As Jasmine Minor, Emmy-winning race and culture reporter for ABC-7 television in Chicago, took the stage, she praised the celebration.
“Y’all make Chicago look boring,” she said.
She invoked the lessons she learned from her father, who told if you’re successful, the important thing is that you give back.
“Whatever chance you have, whatever you have to give – whatever talents God gives you – you must do your best,” she said. “For the simple reason, you can.”
slord@tribpub.com
