Celebrating Juneteenth in RVA: Providing hope, faith and resilience

HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- Juneteenth is being celebrated across the country -- and Richmond visitors to Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden are no exception.

Juneteenth represents how emancipation was delayed for several African Americans and how Union General Gordon Granger informed enslaved Black Americans about their freedom 160 years ago on Thursday in Galveston, Texas.

Richmond joins countless cities and town across America commemorating that day on Thursday, June 19.

At Lewis Ginter, there are some treats to snack on, made with care from Black business owners including ice cream to beat the Richmond heat, and getting a taste of West African flavors with an American twist.

As part of its community days, Lewis Ginter has offered free admission on Juneteenth for three years, but Director of Social Responsibility Seth Jones said for the first time the garden is offering cultural programming on this holiday.

"Community days are really important to the community because we do recognize that sometimes cost is a barrier to get into the garden, so we open the garden to the public for free three times a year," Jones said.

There are reminders about resiliency and how all people are worthy of love, hope and inspiration -- which is actually what Shauntae Lilly of New Kent provided for the garden auditorium audience.

Known as Lady Hymmingbird, Lilly performed songs, offering a sense of hope and faith.

"These songs holistically are the foundation of why we are here today because we all need to build off of hope and the songs that I'll sing today demonstrate in the most amazing way. I hope that other feel the same," Lilly said.

Of course, Juneteenth is not the only time where these messages of positivity are shared.

Lady Hymmingbird is also the owner of Lilligrams which spreads messages of love, hope and inspiration and will be back at Lewis Ginter on June 28 for story time and crafts.