Lieutenant governor joins Stockton's Juneteenth celebration in Atlantic City

The state's lieutenant governor was in Atlantic City on Monday for Stockton University's fourth annual Juneteenth celebration.  

“It's a beautiful Juneteenth to be with Stockton University,” Lt. Gov. Tahesha Way said as students, staff and faculty gathered in the Residential Quad of Kesselman Hall.

The wind off the ocean provided perfect moments of relief as everyone sat at tables decorated with red, green and yellow tablecloths, numerous pins and rubber bracelets.  

Way reaffirmed her and Gov. Phil Murphy’s commitment to commemorating and honoring the memory of Juneteenth. 

    Those who attended sat at tables decorated with red, green and yellow tablecloths, numerous pins and rubber bracelets.
  

Murphy feels the historic legislation observing Juneteenth on the third Friday in June that was signed into law in 2020 was a milestone that should have happened long before their administration, Way said.  

The holiday is nationally recognized as June 19, the day word finally got to slaves in Galveston, Texas, that the Emancipation Proclamation had freed them two years earlier. 

“In order to honor Juneteenth, we must do more and deliver justice through providing economic opportunities, fully funding public schools, increasing homeownership and employment opportunities and providing mentorship and investment for black entrepreneurs and businesses," Way said. "Restorative justice requires all of us.”

Way also marked the birthday of her Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority sister, Stockton's Executive Vice President Terricita Sass, by singing "Happy Birthday.”

Sass shared her birthday with the holiday.

Sentiments of paving the path forward and looking toward creating a positive legacy for the future were championed by Haashim Smith-Johnson of the Class of  2019, who served as president of the Unified Black Students Society

“Events such as our annual Juneteenth celebration only push Stockton in the right direction," said Smith-Johnson, now a Stockton admissions recruiter. :While this event is a celebration, let's still recognize that there is still work to do in and for our community. The year will be a challenging test in all aspects, and we must pay as much attention as possible.

“Please continue to acknowledge the journey our culture has experienced and continue to strengthen our community to know where we are going. I know it may sound cliche, but we are stronger together and it has shown through the test of time,” he added.  

Louise Kennedy, president of the student organization Commuters on the Go, also spoke of the importance.   

“Though Juneteenth commemorates a day we are all unable to physically remember, today, we can take care to fathom the awe-inspiring moments when the chains of so many Black people in America were let loose, bringing opportunities — however slim — for them to grow into the scientists, inventors, parents, activists and more that they were always meant to be," said Kennedy, a Health Sciences major. "The pain suffered by those within the African diaspora, both past, present and future, will not be disregarded, and in honor of Juneteenth, we can rejoice in the fruits of the labor of such resilience.”

Stockton President Joe Bertolino referenced the current climate surrounding diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and reiterated the university’s commitment to continuing to make the campus a welcoming environment for all.  

“To combat this (attack on social justice), let us honor those who came before us by carrying on the work of creating an environment that is fair, equitable and welcoming to all,” Bertolino said. “I am proud that Stockton continues to engage in this work, whether through our Africana Studies program — which recently celebrated its 40th anniversary — our race and racism education courses, our annual Fannie Lou Hamer Human and Civil Rights Symposium, which just celebrated its 20th anniversary. ... The list goes on and on.  

“Stockton is committed to doing the work of engaging civil discourse, community engagement and social justice," he added. "Now is the time to stand firm in our commitment to building a community of opportunity and ensuring that everyone in our community is treated with dignity, respect, kindness, compassion and civility."

    Local businesses were also represented at Stockton's Juneteenth event.
  

In addition to supporting local businesses, such as Ghanaian-owned clothing boutique Afriprintz and Honey Hair Care and enjoying soul food within the residential hall, attendees had the opportunity to peruse a mini exhibition on the history of Black Atlantic City residents curated by Ralph Hunter, the founder of the African-American Heritage Museum of Southern New Jersey.  

Hunter, who visits more than 100 college and university campuses a year, shared many little-known facts about Black life in Atlantic City and the state, including that New Jersey’s roots in enslavement were deeper than what is commonly known.  

According to Hunter, the last enslaved African-American woman in New Jersey, known as Lucy, was held in bondage in Mays Landing until 1871, six years after the liberation of multiple people in Texas that Juneteenth now commemorates. 

Lucy’s personal belongings, including her trunk and various tools, are now on display in the museum. 

Amidst the black-and-white photos of various Miss Black America pageants, Black-owned businesses and children playing in the sand at Missouri Avenue Beach (known popularly as Chicken Bone Beach), Hunter sat in a chair, ready to share stories that spanned decades.  

“We're here to tell the story about how redlining and, eventually, integration played a major role, not only in businesses but in schools and even beaches,” Hunter said. “This is just one of several exhibits that we have at the museum.” 

Ralph Hunter, the founder of the African-American Heritage Museum of Southern New Jersey in Atlantic City, spoke about the history of Black Atlantic City residents.

Lydia Adjetey, an international student from Ghana majoring in Communication Studies, said the event marks her third celebration at Stockton — and she’s already looking forward to her fourth. 

“The food is amazing, the people are great and the speeches were amazing,” Adjetey said. “I just love how we all come together as a community every year, you know, same time and same place, so I’m always here! I look forward to coming to the next one and inviting some friends next year.” 

For Jovin Fernandez, director of the Multicultural Center, this Juneteenth celebration was her first at Stockton. She was excited to contribute to the event and promote how the center plays a role in educational and historical events like the June 17 event.  

“I was overjoyed to see the number of staff, faculty, administrators and community members who came out to support us. That support is a testament to the community that we have at Stockton,” Fernandez said. “I see events like this as a celebration that acknowledges how far we've come, but also a call to action to continue the work of ensuring equality and justice simultaneously.”