The Richmond Hill-based nonprofit Unity in the Community will be hosting a community reflection event commemorating Juneteenth on Saturday, June 14 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Richmond Hill City Center.
The event will kick off with a short video presentation on Juneteenth and its significance, before delving into discussions about Black history in Richmond Hill, featuring guest speakers.
Topics include the role of enslaved labor in the construction of early Richmond Hill and surrounding areas and the influence of automaker Henry Ford and his contributions to the city.
Unity in the Community co-founder Sharon Butts says that the purpose of the event is to celebrate the historical impact of Juneteenth in the local area, as well as to build connections with others across Richmond Hill.
“We’re looking to connect with the Black community in Richmond Hill, especially with the folks who have lived here a long time,” said Butts.
“We want to honor them, as well as bring awareness to the indigo and rice plantations that were here before and give homage to the people who lived and worked in those areas.”
An educator, Butts says that events like these help teach and preserve Black history for those living in smaller suburban areas like Richmond Hill.
“There is not a lot of recognition [of Juneteenth] when I am at school,” said Butts, who teaches English at Richmond Hill High School. “There are a lot of African-American students who don’t know the importance of their family name.”
“We need to be able to let them know that they need to be honored too, that the legacy their ancestors left is for them to enjoy as well.”
Butts hopes that Saturday’s event helps to both educate and inspire others to build friendships and communion with one other, particularly in a growing city like Richmond Hill.
“We just need to make sure that people are aware when it is and that we are open to everybody and it is free, and the more you learn about each other's history, the more we learn about ourselves.”
“Juneteenth: A Community Reflection on Freedom & Local Legacy.”
Saturday, June 14th, 2025
11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Richmond Hill City Center - Sterling Creek Room
Free; refreshments provided