COLUMBUS, Ohio — Juneteenth celebrations happening nationally and locally are an opportunity to celebrate the end of slavery in the United States, look back on the history and highlight what it means to be free.
The federal holiday is celebrated every year on June 19.
Multiple communities around central Ohio held celebrations Wednesday to commemorate the special day.
Valerie Boyer, a renowned dancer from Galveston, Texas, travels around the country and dances to express her creative freedom.
"All of dancing is storytelling. There is no move that you do in the dance world, especially with Black dance, West African dance, that doesn't have a story and meaning behind it," Boyer said.
At the Kings Art Complex, history was shared and culture was celebrated.
"It's cross-generational. It's a time for our elders to interact with our youth and fill in those gaps in our history that need to be explored and maintained," said Ohio State Ph.D student Sterling Nix. "We can allow ourselves to be creative and flow through that moment. We get beautiful moments like this where we are interacting with each other."
While event organizers want to celebrate the liberation of those enslaved, it's also a moment to teach the youth about the struggles many faced.
"You must know your past presently to get to your future. So if we are not aware of what's happening in our past, we may not understand what's happening today," said Jevon Collins, performing arts director at the King Arts Complex.
The Central Ohio African American Chamber of Commerce says their organization continues to overcome systematic challenges for black-owned businesses.
"Access to capital to grow their businesses. Our businesses are even less likely to receive approval rates for business loans which stunts our growth," said J. Averi Frost, director of COAACC.
But the organization continues pushing forward.
"Through an ongoing quest for equality, how can we, from the seats and positions we are in, really effect change?" Frost said.