Fashion show highlights African-American culture, celebrates Juneteenth
Jun. 19—HENDERSON — Rebuild Communities NC and The City of Henderson Parks and Recreation held a Juneteenth African Fashion Show on Wednesday evening in celebration of African-American freedom and culture.
The show featured traditional African attire from Rebuild Communities NC's boutique. Traditional African dances, chants, and poems were all performed as well.
There will be two more shows this afternoon at McGregor Hall Gallery. The first show starts at noon and the second show at 3 p.m. The shows are free to the public. Traditional African attire from the boutique will be on sale at the shows. COVID-19 restriction will be in effect, with temperatures taken at the door.
"People can look forward to seeing the beauty and strength of the Black community. It's very prevalent, it's always been there and it hasn't been seen for various reasons but the reality is it's there. People can come and see the history and celebration of Juneteenth," said Charles Bullock, model, and friend of Rebuild Communities NC.
"We found out that Henderson was doing a whole Juneteenth celebration and that's never been done before, so that was exciting. We were trying to brainstorm ways Rebuild Communities could give our flare to the week so my grandmother, Edythe Thompson, said, 'I want to do an African fashion show, we have a lot of beautiful African clothing so why not,' " said Ms. Bobbie Michelle, creative director of the show.
This past week was the first week in history that the city of Henderson celebrated Juneteenth with its first annual "Juneteenth Week of Freedom." Each day this week the city of Henderson celebrated African American Culture in different ways. Saturday the city will also host a street festival on Breckenridge Street from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
