South metro Atlanta communities offering varied Juneteenth activities

South metro Atlanta residents looking for ways to celebrate Juneteenth this year will have a variety of options in the coming days.

Juneteenth is an annual celebration on and surrounding June 19, the day that word reached the enslaved African Americans in Texas that the Emancipation Proclamation, which went into effect Jan. 1, 1863, had freed them.

Documentarian J.P. Beaty plans to unveil a history of the Black community of Fayette County ahead of the June 19 festivities at 7 p.m. today at the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce, 600 West Lanier Street, Suite 205, in Fayetteville.

The documentary delves into the lives of Black residents in the southside county and their contributions to the community, including in positions of leadership. It mixes historical documents with live interviews to explore the rich history of Black Fayette Countians.

On Saturday, the Town of Trilith in Fayetteville in Fayette County will host its third Juneteenth celebration with music, food and fun, beginning at 4 p.m. in the community’s Town Centre.

Grammy-nominated soul singer Anthony David will be among a plethora of performers at the event. Others will include rapper K4C, Mass Affect Band, poet Jamaica West, Stefan Heuer and Reigning Victory Dance Academy. The performances begin at 4 p.m. and run through the evening.

Food vendors and children’s activities will also be part of the activities.

The cities of Jonesboro in Clayton County and Stockbridge in Henry County will host music celebrations on June 19, the day of Juneteenth.

Jonesboro is offering a free concert beginning at 5 p.m. in Lee Street Park. Performers will include the Jonesboro High School Majestic Marching Cardinals, Kaspar and the 911 Band, DJ Maurice and host Casual Cal.

Stockbridge plans to bring to the stage at the Stockbridge Amphitheater Grammy award winner Karen Clark Sheard in a free concert to help the city usher in Juneteenth. The event, which is set for 5 p.m.-9 p.m., will be hosted by Canton Jones and will include a history of Black music by gospel singers B. Chase Williams and Shabach.

About the Author

As Atlanta’s new tree protection rules take shape, home builders push back

Atlanta officials indicated Thursday they are ready to move forward with a revamp of Atlanta’s tree protection rules, but developers are not pleased with the proposals.

UPDATE

Girl, 13, dies after tree falls on Atlanta home during heavy storms

A tree fell onto a home on Mims Street near Martin Luther King Jr. and Westview drives in southwest Atlanta on Saturday, according to a fire department spokesperson.