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Second annual Juneteenth Freedom Day held in Lewes

George H.P. Smith monument unveiled during celebration
Welcoming and educating attendees are volunteers (l-r) Jackie Lawson, Vickie Pendleton, Melissa White, Dara Savage, Stephanie Collick, Brenda Milbourne and Paula Roberts. AARON MUSHRUSH PHOTOS
Aaron R. Mushrush
July 6, 2023

The City of Lewes held its second annual Juneteenth Freedom Day celebration at George H.P. Smith Park June 24. Making the event all the more memorable was the ceremonial dedication of a locally made monument erected in memory of former Mayor George H.P. Smith, the first and only Black mayor in Lewes’ history.

Juneteenth is a federal holiday celebrated each year on or around June 19. The name is an ode to the date, commemorating when the final group of enslaved Americans in Galveston, Texas, received word they were free and slavery was unconstitutional June 19, 1865. While many in the African American community have been celebrating the holiday annually, it wasn’t until 2021 that President Joe Biden signed legislation declaring the day a federal holiday.

The Lewes African American Heritage Commission works year-round to ensure the Juneteenth celebration continues to grow and be successful. Leaders in the African American community view the day as not only a celebration, but also an opportunity to educate on the meaning of the holiday and appreciate the sacrifices made by previous generations.

One of the most influential figures in the Lewes African American community was former Mayor George H.P. Smith. Smith fought hard to better the lives of those living in his community, regardless of skin color. The park where the Juneteenth celebration occurs is named after the prolific mayor. To honor his contributions, the City of Lewes commissioned a local bronze worker and brick mason to erect a monument in his honor. 

The Dover alumni chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi, Smith’s fraternity, put on a powerful display of brotherhood. Polemarch Tracy Chamblee addressed the crowd and specifically thanked Smith’s widow, Lorraine Smith, for sacrificing her personal time so he could dedicate time to the community. Following Chamblee’s speech, Kappa Alpha Psi presented Lorraine with a bouquet of flowers and made their way to the new monument for a special ceremony and dedication.

The fraternity gathered around the monument and recited the Kappa Alpha Psi Hymn. The crowd was quickly drawn to the powerful display of brotherly love and watched as the group honored their fallen brother. 

In addition to the monument dedication, the celebration featured powerful poetry, live bands, a ventriloquist, a variety of food trucks, educational booths and several Black-owned businesses selling goods or promoting services.

 

The family of George H.P. Smith was in attendance for the special ceremony. Shown are Tyrone Woodyard Sr., Tyrone Woodyard Jr., Cory Wideman, Sarah King, Jackie Clark, Gabriel Wideman, Mason Woodyard, Mila Woodyard, Justin Solomon, Kristen Solomon, Gavin Woodyard-Wideman, Kevin Solomon, Jocelyn Solomon, Jayden Solomon, Paul Chapman, Paige Chapman, Patricia Chapman, William Chapman, Barbara Smith Rivers, Ondra Massey Schiazza, Krystle Wideman, Lorraine Massey, Ondra Massey, Barbara Seymour, Albert Johnson, Valarie Woodyard, Lorraine Smith and Harry Kaiser.
George H.P Smith’s widow Lorraine Smith was presented with a bouquet of flowers from the Dover alumni chapter of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity as a thank you for the time she sacrificed with her late husband that allowed him to contribute to worthy causes.
A local bronzer and brick mason constructed a monument to former Lewes Mayor George H.P. Smith in the park sharing his name.
Jay’lea Mendez and Lewes Permit and Licensing Specialist Kayla Pedrick sell stickers and Juneteenth memorabilia to raise funds for the Lewes African American Heritage Commission.
Lewes African American Heritage Commissioner Trina Brown-Hicks kicks off the day with a poem from Belltown’s Helen Miller. In the story, a little girl wonders why she was made the way she was and cites certain issues she has. The little girl was informed that what she thinks are weaknesses ignorantly propagated are actually sources of strength she can draw from.
The Rev. Deborah McCaffity, a Lewes African American Heritage Commission member, discusses the gentrification of Lewes and the diminishing population of a once-flourishing African American community in Lewes.
Lewes African American Heritage Commissioner Bill Collick reads the mayoral proclamation for Johnnie Walker Beach. Johnnie Walker was a prominent African American businessman who owned a restaurant on the segregated side of Lewes Beach. It became a destination for Black families from across the state and beyond to visit.
Tierra Shockley, a rising junior at Calvary Christian Academy, discusses what a world without racial biases and preconceived notions based on stereotypes would look like.
Rep. Stell Parker Selby, D-Milton, reminds the audience that Americans were enslaved and Americans were freed from slavery. She expressed a desire to remove the divisive aspects of race and focus on unity. She repeated her message from the Sussex Family YMCA Juneteenth celebration and said “We are all Americans.”
Lewes Mayor Andrew Williams says he’s slightly disappointed to not see people who look like him at the second annual Juneteenth Freedom Day. He said he grew up in a diverse Lewes and would like to see the community become that way again.
Sen. Russ Huxtable, D-Lewes, says he proudly celebrates Juneteenth and the Fourth of July and believes both can be joyously celebrated by all Americans.
Dover alumni chapter of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity Polemarch Tracy Chamblee delivers high praise to one of the fraternity’s founders, the late George H.P. Smith.
Dover alumni chapter of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity pays homage to one of its founding members, George H.P. Smith. Shown are (l-r) Ric Morgan, Phillip Nevius, Lawrence Hampton, Corey Crawford Sr., Terrell Cook, James Sherard, Cliffvon Howell, Tracy Chamblee, Mark Eisenhour, Blaine Daisey, Lance Edwards, Julius Mickens, Taj L. McNair, John Martin Jr., Jordan McCullough, Tiff McCullough and Cagney France.
Dr. Nichelle Manson signs to a number of songs calling for freedom and equality.
Christy Taylor and the Groove puts on a lively performance, despite the humid conditions.
Best Kept Soul is no longer a secret of any kind as their soulful tunes wrap up the day.
Mr. Goodwood and his friend Ken Huff fill George H.P. Smith Park with rapid-fire jokes and one-liners. Apparently, despite his advanced age, Mr. Goodwood is still “regular.” Every day at 5 a.m. Mr. Goodwood maintains his regular schedule. The only problem is that he gets up every day at 9 a.m.
Tiana Johnson was the 2021 PURE International Preeteen Delaware and will compete in the PURE International Pageant in Florida July 14. To learn more about her community efforts or to donate to her campaign, go to facebook.com/purepreteenpatrioticamerica.
Darryl Daisey sets up shop at the educational tables. In addition to pictures of his family's legacy in Lewes, he displayed unidentified photos for people to attempt to put a name to a face or an event.
Janie Miller, president of the William C. Jason Comprehensive High School Alumni Association, poses with her son Reggie Miller, a former Special Olympics Delaware basketball standout, at the Jason High School informational booth. Miller had yearbooks from the past and other alumni memorabilia.
Delta Sigma Theta raises money for Home of the Brave 2 women’s shelter. Shown are (l-r) Coastal Counseling’s Tamara Gibbons, President Dana Paskins (a veteran), Paula Roberts, Monique Jones, Sharon Hines, Cisley Turpin, and Georgette Stafford.
Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club is willing to educate anyone interested in the history of that particular unit of soldiers. Shown are (l-r) Skip Hutson, Al Haynes and Alex Haynes.
The Omega Psi Phi fraternity is a nationally prominent organization with strong roots in Delaware. Past members include Langston Hughes, Carter G. Woodson and Dr. Charles Drew. Current members nationally known are Michael Jordan, Jalen Hurts, Shaquille O’Neal, George Clinton and Steve Harvey. Shown are members of the Psi Iota chapter based in Dover with Southern University offensive lineman Kyree Waves. Shown are (l-r) David Sauls, Waves, veteran Charles Hammond, and Calvin Jackson.
Tom Pulmano of the Zwaanendael Museum asked attendees if they were aware of the segregated beaches in Delaware. If not, he had information about them all from New Castle to Sussex County.
Shamir Lambert, vice president of the Lower Sussex Association of Colored People Youth Council, oversees the artwork of the Coleman kids. Shown are (l-r) Lambert and Jasmine, Taylor, and Brandon Coleman.
Carolyn Kelly, left, and Dale Smith of Family Promise of Southern Delaware speak with anyone about the issue of shelter-insecurity.
Lighthouse on the Shore Learning Center recruits students, staff and faculty for its Lewes operation. Shown are (l-r) Kathy Gibbs, Patty Chapman, owner Tecola Gibbs-Hernandez and Wanda Witherspoon.
Nia’s Divine Catering offers scrumptious sweets, showcasing owner Nia Sturgis’ culinary skills.
Artist Shirleeta Stanton offers beautiful pieces of art for sale.
Bryana McCrea, left, and daughter Bryia McCrea are the owners and operators of Bryzelle Button and Bryia’s Scrunchy Boutique.
Patricia “Tricia” Jackson is a Realtor for the Oldfather Group in Lewes.
Sew Cool offers up various sewn goods with an emphasis on dogs and the NFL. Shown are (l-r) Lisa Lindsay, Craig Richardson and Toshia Lindsay.
Fierce Creations owner Rick Nesmith offers products centered around pups and pro football.
Tiyan Powell, left, and Lakeya Fullman offer water bottles with works of art on them.
Tie Dye Dog owner Sharon Gosack, left, and Sharon Binette welcome all in their canine-centric tent.
Kayin Belmont sports Lionel Messi’s Argentine national kit while he shows a soft touch when dribbling and juggling the ball.
A Taste of Jazz owner/chef/saxophonist Latisha Dismuke is a multi-talented, multi-award-winning musician and chef who sprinkles in comedy and flare with each dish and performance. Find her at facebook.com/ATasteOfJazz4U/. She is raising money to open up her own restaurant.
Folks line up at J&B Grilling.
Soulfully Delicious offers fried food, but like the other food trucks, they ran out of food a couple of hours before the celebration ended.
Chef Havi, owner of Chef Havi Ices, keeps things cool for the crowd. Despite being in the food truck line, Havi works his magic from a hatchback.
The new colors of Juneteenth moving forward will be red, white and blue. A white, five-pointed star with a bursting white outline is framed with horizontal blue and horizontal red halves.

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Aaron Mushrush joined the sports team in Summer 2023 to help cover the emerging youth athletics scene in the Cape Region. After lettering in soccer and lacrosse at Sussex Tech, he played lacrosse at Division III Eastern University in St. David's, PA. Aaron coached lacrosse at Sussex Tech in 2009 and 2011. Post-collegiately, Mush played in the Eastern Shore Summer Lacrosse League for Blue Bird Tavern and Saltwater Lacrosse. He competed in several tournaments for the Shamrocks Lacrosse Club, which blossomed into the Maryland Lacrosse League (MDLL). Aaron interned at the Coastal Point before becoming assistant director at WMDT-TV 47 ABC in 2017 and eventually assignment editor in 2018. 

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