Benedictine Living Community Hosts Juneteenth Celebration

DULUTH, Minn. — In honor of Juneteenth, Benedictine Living Community held their first ever Juneteenth Chapel Service and Soul Food Celebration.

Juneteenth is recognized as the day that ended slavery in the United States two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued which freed black people throughout the country.

Guest speakers with the NAACP spoke in front of seniors and community members about the importance of Juneteenth and share some cultural dishes made for the soul.

“I’m honored that I was invited to come and speak at Benedictine here. It was their first time in history, acknowledging Juneteenth,” said Salaam Witherspoon, a local advocate with the Duluth NAACP. “I when they first got me up here, they’re like, Okay, what is Juneteenth? I said, Well, it’s really just a kickback, a celebration, you know, family picnic. And so we invited my brother Stephan Witherspoon, to come and do his famous soul food, Mac, cheese, greens, all those things.”

Benedict Living Community said today’s celebration was a fun way to celebrate the newer federal holiday and offer home cooked meals to those in attendance.