DEKALB COUNTY, GA—The NAACP DeKalb County Branch will celebrate Jubilee Day on New Year’s Day with a virtual program at 10 a.m. sponsored by the Rev. Steven N. Dial, Sr. of Rainbow Park Baptist Church located in Decatur. Jubilee Day marks President Abraham Lincoln’s official signing of the Emancipation Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863. On paper, the document freed all Blacks held captive in Southern states.
This year, DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond will serve as keynote speaker of the DeKalb NAACP event. The civil rights organization’s 2022 theme is “Protecting Our Democracy.”
“This is not only a celebration of Black freedom, but it is also a reminder to continue the fight. We must encourage people to use their voices and votes to enact the change they need in their communities,” said Teresa Hardy, president of the DeKalb NAACP branch. encouraged that this proclamation. “Although we are facing economic, health and democracy crises, we must remain encouraged that this proclamation was signed for the betterment of our people. And in 2022, We win together. Period!”
To attend the virtual event, please register at https://naacpdekalb2022jubileeday.eventbrite.com