Harambee Books & Artworks, Alexandria’s only Black-owned and operated bookstore, celebrates its first-ever Juneteenth Craft Fair Saturday, June 19 from 1 to 4 p.m. at 1132 Prince St. in Old Town Alexandria.
Image courtesy of Harambee Books & Artworks
Local bookstore to celebrate Juneteenth
Local authors, artists and jewelry-makers will participate in the event and their books, jewelry and artwork will be on display.
Juneteenth, a portmanteau of June and nineteenth, celebrates the emancipation of slaves in the United States. The holiday originated in Texas to commemorate the June 19,1865 announcement of General Order No. 3 by the Union Army proclaiming freedom from slavery in that state. Since that time, the holiday has spread throughout the nation as a day to honor emancipation.
“I’m honored to celebrate the event at Harambee’s and I hope people drop by to meet local artisans,” said John Wasowicz, author of the Mo Katz mystery series set in Old Town, whose books will be on display.
Other artists and authors include jewelry maker Lucerecia Stasio; Eugene Pair, author of “Let Us Make A Man;” artisans Nick and Tyson Porter; Dr. Sandra Cruz-Pol, author of “Ecolife” and “Ecotarian;” Shelia Moses, creator of a series of children’s books; and Cash Dangerfield, author of “Bastards in Paradise.”
