{"id":8791,"date":"2023-06-29T14:37:41","date_gmt":"2023-06-29T14:37:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/?p=8791"},"modified":"2023-06-29T14:38:01","modified_gmt":"2023-06-29T14:38:01","slug":"juneteenth-celebration-honors-black-kings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/index.php\/2023\/06\/29\/juneteenth-celebration-honors-black-kings\/","title":{"rendered":"Juneteenth Celebration Honors Black Kings"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Faith Black Kings of Kwanzaa – Rev. Damon Horton, Rev. Jerry Boose, Rev. John Jones (son) and Rev. DL Perryman, PhD<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

By Tricia Hall<\/strong><\/em>
\nThe Truth Reporter<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Toledo residents had several opportunities to celebrate Juneteenth through the weekend, but the Celebration of Black Kings was held on the official day of Juneteenth, Monday, June 19, 2023. The sophisticated black-tie event, at the Toledo Club in downtown Toledo, began at 5:00 p.m. and concluded by 9:00 p.m.<\/p>\n

Guests experienced a red-carpet reception starting at 5:00 p.m. featuring Dr. P. Guests and honorees enjoyed live music in a jazz lounge atmosphere. The space offered a buffet style spread connecting the two rooms before transitioning to the ceremony room which began at 6:30 p.m.<\/p>\n

Larry Jones served as the master of ceremony and officially welcomed all guests and honorees. \u201cWelcome to the King\u2019s court ard. We are setting the King\u2019s table because it\u2019s about the Kings tonight. We\u2019re here to celebrate these Kings and the Kwanzaa principles as we honor these men who have labored.\u201d<\/p>\n

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David Young and Nathaniel Young<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The program opened with a traditional Kwanzaa celebration libation, in which ancestors were acknowledged and elders were honored. The ceremony was led by Diane Gordon and Donald Lynn; Katrina Barnhill performed a soulful rendition of the Black National Anthem on the saxophone; Aman Hicks, a Robinson Elementary student, recited a poem entitled \u2018I am somebody\u2019 and Toledo Alliance of Black School Educators (TABSE) presented scholarships to two local high school students.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe mission of Toledo Alliance of Black School Educators is why we are here. We are here to support our babies and we welcome you to support us in that mission,\u201d shared Chanell Phenix, TABSE president.<\/p>\n

This Juneteenth celebration entitled, The Celebration of Black Kings, honored seven groups of Black men who represent one of the seven Kwanzaa principles. The men were called up as a collective group, given their plaques and provided an opportunity to speak. The 33 honorees were:<\/p>\n