Weslyn A. Bennett Foundation's Juneteenth Celebration - The Above Ground Railroad to Emancipation in Inkster

The Weslyn A. Bennett Foundation held its second annual Juneteenth Celebration on Saturday June 17, 2023, at the Leanna Hicks Public Library in Inkster. People in attendance recited the Juneteenth Statement of Purpose and Promise. The David Hicks Elementary School Choir, directed by Natasha Zahor gave its rendition of several spirituals, and they joined in singing the Black National Anthem by Davian Bennett, the great grandson of Weslyn A. Bennett. Ryan Peterson performed I'm a Survivor. The ALNUR We RISE dancers performed as did their director Mama Ayi. Everyone was taken on a tour led by conductors, walking in the footsteps of history stopping at Emancipation, Henry Ford-Inkster Project, Inkster Schools, Inkster Historic Figures and finally the stop of "What is your Footprint" where children were interviewed about what their footprint will be as adults.

Each station had a talking footprint which had spoken dialogue highlighting the stop amplified through each footprint. A child volunteer pressed the button to play each story.

Other activities were painting on canvases that had Juneteenth designs, sack races, egg and spoon races and riding the freedom train. Food was provided by C.C.'s Soul Food so everyone had a wonderful lunch.

Fathers received cologne for Father's Day and the women also received fragrances. Children received special Juneteenth t-shirts, engineer hats and train whistles to go with traveling the Above Ground Railroad to Emancipation all the way to empowerment as well as Juneteenth books and activity booklets. A fun and historical day was had by all who attended.