JUNETEENTH CELEBRATING THE ROOTS OF FREEDOM2 | The Daily News | Juneteenth | 2024 June 19 2024 Celebrate JuneteenthHome of Galveston’s First Citywide Celebration of Emancipation Walk in the footsteps of the ancestors as we Re-Enact the Historic EMANCIPATION MARCH and EMANCIPATION SERVICE History and Fun for Everyone! Don’t Miss the 3rd Annual Juneteenth Family Fun Event Family fun – Noon – 5:45 pm Emancipation March – 6:00 pm Emancipation Service – 6:15 pm Celebrate Juneteenth Where It All Began 2015 – Broadway, Galveston, TX 7550 For additional information and program schedule, contact www.reedychapel.com • 409-762-20162024 | Juneteenth | The Daily News | 3 4 Limited freedom and opportunity maximized 6 ‘A true champion for Juneteenth’ Matthews at the helm of island’s emancipation celebrations for over four decades 7 Just what the doctor ordered Physician and civil rights activist Myers lays foundation for Juneteenth recognition 8 Faith and freedom Churches play prominent role in African American community 10 A message from the queen After whirlwind year, reigning Miss Juneteenth Texas prepares to pass torch 13 Founding Families: Smith History and life lessons learned by a BOI 14 Founding Families: Thomas The journey to becoming Thomas 15 Founding families: Scull A family chronology 16 Galveston Juneteenth celebrations CONTENTS 8 6 10 164 | The Daily News | Juneteenth | 2024 BY SAM COLLINS III SPECIAL TO THE DAILY NEWS E ach year we celebrate Juneteenth and imagine the former enslaved people were imme- diately set free, but it was not that simple. In the very same general order that stated “all slaves are free,” they were advised to remain at their present homes and work for wages. They also were informed that they would not be supported in idleness. While some enslavers allowed en- slaved people to leave, many did not. On June 28, 1865, nine days after the general order was issued, Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger decreed: “No per- sons formerly slaves will be permitted to travel on the public thoroughfares without passes or permits from their employers, or to congregate in build- ings or camps at, or adjacent to, any military post or town.” Enslaved people were free-ish, but not totally free. It was complicated for many reasons. Formerly enslaved people had to have a pass from their employer to travel from one place to another. If they left the plantation, where would they go? How do they negotiate contracts and establish value for their individual skill sets? The federal government established the Freedmen’s Bureau in 1865 to deal with these questions and other issues. The population in 1860 for many Texas counties had large percentages of en- slaved people — 80 percent in Wharton County, 75 percent in Brazoria County, 67 percent in Fort Bend County, 61 per- cent in Matagorda County, 53 percent in Washington County and 51 percent in Montgomery County. In comparison, Harris County had 22 percent enslaved population and Galveston County had 18 percent. Becoming a landowner may seem like an easy decision to make rather than sharecropping, but it required a land- owner willing to sell land to formerly enslaved people. A great example of success following the end of enslavement in Texas is the 1867 Settlement Community in Texas City. The 1867 Settlement Community was settled by former enslaved men and women who did exactly as General Order No. 3 instructed them to do. Some began working for former enslavers, and when given an opportunity to buy land, they chose to buy land. The 1867 Settlement Community is na- tionally recognized as a historic district by the National Park Service. It is the only nationally registered historic dis- trict in Texas City. Students throughout Galveston County school districts should visit this historic district to learn more about the early settlers. That same year was a pivotal time for voting rights of former enslaved Black men. Many of them in 1867 registered to vote. Because of the high concentration of former enslaved Black men in several counties, many Black legislators were elected. The first Black sheriff in the United States, Walter Moses Burton, was elected in Fort Bend County in 1869. Burton later became a Texas state sena- tor elected in 1873. Despite limited freedom and oppor- tunities, the passing of the 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments allowed former enslaved people in Texas to become citizens, elected officials and business owners. They established more than 500 Freedom Colonies. To learn more, visit the Texas Freedom Colonies website at www.thetexasfreedom coloniesproject.com. Sam Collins III is a local historian and co-chair of the Juneteenth Legacy Project. Text of General Order No. 3 appeared in The Galveston Daily News on June 21, 1865. LIMITED FREEDOM AND OPPORTUNITY MAXIMIZED2024 | Juneteenth | The Daily News | 5 FILE PHOTO/THE DAILY NEWS The 1887 Frank Sr. and Flavilla Bell House is the oldest preserved structure in the 5-acre 1867 Settlement Historic District in west Texas City, which is the only Reconstruction-era African American community established in the county. This self-sufficient Black settlement, located near Bell Drive, was established by former slaves after the Civil War. Unlike most freedmen of that time, the members of the community were landowners. 6 | The Daily News | Juneteenth | 2024 BY ANGELA WILSON SPECIAL TO THE DAILY NEWS F or 45 years, the city of Galveston’s June- teenth events and cel- ebrations have been organized and led by one of its native sons, Doug Matthews. Matthews was born and raised on the island, graduated from Ball High School as a part of the first inte- grated class in 1969 and, in 1985, was appointed as the first Black city manager of Galveston. Matthews’ commitment to the island’s Juneteenth festivities has not gone unnoticed by those who know him best, particu- larly the countless island community members who have collaborated with him to bring the events to frui- tion each year. Unofficially, Matthews’ promotion of Juneteenth began around 1959, when he was about 9 years old and participated in various Juneteenth celebrations promoted by his West End neigh- bors, the Rev. James B. Thomas with the then Galvez Negro Little League and Thomas H. Warren of Carv- er Elementary School, said David O’Neal, a Galveston school board trustee. “Doug has served as the hull, keel, mast, sail, rigging and the rud- der of this great Juneteenth ship,” O’Neal said. “His main body actions have provided stability and buoyan- cy. He has done the pertinent work to make our Juneteenth celebrations what they are today. He has helped steer Juneteenth to a state and national holiday. Truly, Doug Mat- thews has proven to be a worthy captain of the Juneteenth legacy.” The Juneteenth banquet held at Old Central Cultural Center and the Juneteenth Gala and June- teenth Proclamation Reading at Ashton Villa, where Union soldiers were stationed when Gen. Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston to announce that slaves were free on June 19, 1865, are just some of the events people from far and wide have been able to enjoy. As chairman of the Texas June- teenth Advisory Committee, Mat- thews in 2006 led the construction and installation of the Juneteenth Monument at Ashton Villa. The 9-foot-tall bronze “Legislator” statue honors the late state Rep. Al Ed- wards, who in 1979 sponsored the bill that made Texas the first state to recognize Juneteenth as an official holiday. Juneteenth became a federal holiday in the sum- mer of 2021 to much fanfare. “Doug Matthews is a leader and role model,” said Tommie Bou- dreaux, a retired school adminis- trator and board member of Old Central Cultural Center. “His love for Galveston and its rich African Amer- ican history, and his collaboration with state Rep. Al Edwards in pre- paring the bill to have a Juneteenth state holiday over 45 years ago, has allowed him to become a champion in planning citywide Juneteenth cel- ebrations that we enjoy today. He’s a true champion for Juneteenth.” MATTHEWS AT THE HELM OF ISLAND’S EMANCIPATION CELEBRATIONS FOR OVER FOUR DECADES ‘A TRUE CHAMPION FOR JUNETEENTH’ RIGHT: Doug Matthews listens to the Rev. Stephen Duncan, portraying Union Army Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger, give a welcoming address at the 44th annual Al Edwards’ Juneteenth Celebration at the 1859 Ashton Villa in Galveston on June, 19, 2023. JENNIFER REYNOLDS/THE DAILY NEWS FILE PHOTO “Doug has served as the hull, keel, mast, sail, rigging and the rudder of this great Juneteenth ship.” DAVID O’NEAL2024 | Juneteenth | The Daily News | 7 SYLVIA HOLMES-MYERS SPECIAL TO THE DAILY NEWS T he Rev. Dr. Ronald V. Myers Sr. was born in 1956 to two educators from two separate Oklahoma cities. Even though Marion Myers Sr. and Neoma R. Brown grew up 1,309 miles apart, God and fate preordained them to meet at historical Langston University. Marion and Neoma married soon after meeting and moved north to join the trailblazers of other Black educa- tors during the Great Migration. This was a time when hundreds of African Americans moved from the South to go north in hopes of better work and living opportunities. They settled in Milwaukee where they later had two sons: Marion Jr. and Ronald. Growing up in the ’60s, Dr. Myers was not naive to the turbulent history of his people. Injustice and inequality were all around him even during his medical school and intern years. But his drive to help people of all creeds and color did not deter him. Dr. Myers became the first ordained and commissioned medical missionary to the Mississippi Delta, America’s poor- est geographical region. He used the gifts and talent God gave him to help people heal physically and spiritually. As he worked in various emergen- cy rooms across the United States, he realized there was a pattern of dilemmas plaguing the communities. Communities were bitterly divided and desperate for a sense of dignity, unity and healing. The children needed hope so that they would not turn to drugs. Dr. Myers was aware of what June- teenth was. He celebrated and attended several functions in Wisconsin, Oklahoma and Texas. He sensed the leading of the Lord to go forward with a plan to bring all of America together by educating, leg- islating and commemorating Juneteenth and expounding on the importance of Juneteenth being America’s second day of freedom. Although Dr. Myers wanted Juneteenth to be celebrated nationally, like Flag Day, figures within the commu- nity preferred to celebrate the holiday in the privacy of their backyards. Dr. Myers understood that Juneteenth was one of the crucial keys to America’s path of unity and reconciliation from slavery. With much resistance, he trav- eled, called, faxed, emailed and wrote about Juneteenth. He lobbied for it to be observed as Flag Day. When meeting elected officials, Dr. Myers gave them an official National Juneteenth Flag, the book “Juneteenth: A Celebration of Freedom” written by Dr. Charles Taylor, and his CD commemorating the years of struggle and celebration of the Black community from the viewpoint of a poor man’s doctor called “Doctor’s Order.” With every closing meeting and cel- ebration he participated in, Dr. Myers respectfully quoted one of the biggest influencers of his civil rights advocacy career, Fannie Lou Hamer, by stating: “None are free until all are free.” From President Reagan to President Trump, Dr. Myers wrote every president every year requesting Juneteenth to be recognized as a day of observance. Sen. Trent Lott aided Dr. Myers in the state of Mississippi for Juneteenth to be recognized as a state holiday in 1997, but unfortunate- ly it was shot down during the House vote after it passed Senate approval. This did not deter Dr. Myers’ vision but fueled it further. From 1986 to 2018, Dr. Myers educated America on the importance of Juneteenth. The 4th of July freed the land and June 19 freed the people. Celebrating June 19 along with July 4 completes America’s days of free- dom. Juneteenth became a national hol- iday on June 17, 2021, and was signed into federal law by President Biden. Sadly, Dr. Myers died in September 2018. His family believes that his inspira- tion and drive was gifted to the leaders who took up the mantle to push for Juneteenth’s national recognition after his death. Even though he wasn’t here to witness his hard work bloom, it was “just what the doctor ordered.” Sylvia Holmes-Myers is the widow of the late Rev. Dr. Ronald Myers Sr. PHYSICIAN AND CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST MYERS LAYS FOUNDATION FOR JUNETEENTH RECOGNITION JUST WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED THE REV. DR. RONALD V. MYERS SR. Dr. Myers understood that Juneteenth was one of the crucial keys to America’s path of unity and reconciliation from slavery. Happy Juneteenth 5427 Broadway • 409-744-0070 Leon’s World Finest Bar- B -Que Old Central Cultural Center 2627 Avenue M, Galveston TX 77550 Learn more about Central High School at its website: www.galvestonoldcentral.com CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL E stablishEd in 1885 – 1968 THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN HIGH SCHOOL IN TEXAS “In 1904 an annex was built providing space at Central High for the first African American public library in Texas by Rosenberg Library Board of Directors”8 | The Daily News | Juneteenth | 2024 BY ANGELA WILSON SPECIAL TO THE DAILY NEWS F aith, freedom and Juneteenth are inexplicably intertwined with the African American community for myriad reasons. It’s been well docu- mented that during times of slavery and segregation, churches served as sanctuaries and centers of community life where African Americans could gather freely, express themselves and organize for social change. They provided spiritual sustenance, emotional support and a sense of belonging in the face of oppression. Religious institutions continue to serve as pillars of support and empowerment for African Americans. Additionally, they are sources of cultural preservation, celebrating African American traditions, music and spirituality. Galveston is home to 14 historically African American churches, with four holding the distinction of being the first in the state in their denomination. Nia Cultural Center will pay tribute to them during the third annual Emancipation Celebration on June 8 at The Grand 1894 Opera House. FAITH AND FREEDOM CHURCHES PLAY PROMINENT ROLE IN AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY AVENUE L MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH Texas’ first African American Baptist church, Avenue L, or “The Ave” as it’s affection- ately called, was birthed out of the Colored Baptist Church formed in 1840 as the slave congregation of First Missionary Baptist Church. The church moved to its current site in 1855 but was destroyed during The 1900 Storm. The structure was rebuilt in 1916 and has been a place of worship for many of the island’s residents and one where celebra- tory Juneteenth events have been hosted annually. REEDY CHAPEL AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH As the state’s first African Methodist Episcopal church, Reedy was founded in 1848 by the Methodist Episcopal Church South to establish a church for its slaves. Prominent- ly displayed on 20th Street and Broadway, the church was rebuilt in 1888 after a fire destroyed the structure in 1885. The church is home to a beautiful pipe organ, and the congregation is an integral part of the island’s Juneteenth celebrations. It annually hosts a Juneteenth program, which includes an emancipation march from the old county courthouse just a few blocks away from the church. JENNIFER REYNOLDS/THE DAILY NEWS FILE PHOTO JENNIFER REYNOLDS/THE DAILY NEWS FILE PHOTO2024 | Juneteenth | The Daily News | 9 SAINT AUGUSTINE EPISCOPAL CHURCH Nineteen years after the birth of Juneteenth, Saint Augustine Episcopal Church was founded in 1884 on 22nd Street and Broadway to minister to Black Anglicans from the British West Indies. It’s the oldest historically African American parish in the Episcopal Diocese of Texas. The church moved to 1410 41st St. (Jack Johnson Boulevard) where it has been serving its members since 1940. HOLY ROSARY CATHOLIC CHURCH Holy Rosary Catholic Church was organized in 1889 via the first African American Catholic School in Texas, which was founded in 1886 by Bishop Nicholas A. Gallager. Led by the Rev. Phillip Keller, who was a native of Germany, the church originally con- gregated at 25th Street and Avenue L. Today, the church is on Avenue N between 30th and 31st streets. The school closed in 1979 after 81 years of service. STUART VILLANUEVA/THE DAILY NEWS FILE PHOTO JENNIFER REYNOLDS/THE DAILY NEWS THE POWER OF THE PALM RECOGNITION RESTORATION CELEBRATION FREEDOM FOR ALL PEOPLE MoodyBank.com | 855.259.8075 *Data connection required. Wireless carrier fees may apply. *Next >