The History of Juneteenth in Alaska
The following is a brief overview of the history of the African American Historical Society of Alaska, Inc in implementing the Juneteenth Celebrations here in Alaska.
About fifteen to twenty years ago, a group of citizens; Jeanette Johnson, Gloria Stamps, Sterling Taylor, Ed Wesley and the members of the Black Caucus, came together to hold the first Juneteenth Celebration on the Delaney Park Strip. They received donations of food from Carrs Gottstein and other businesses to provide free food to those in attendance. During that time there were other small celebrations in Anchorage held at Fairview Recreation Center, private clubs, on Elmendorf Air Force Base, just to name a few of them.
In 1992, Dino Allen and a friend set up a booth at the Fairview Recreation Center's celebration. He looked at the various things going on at the event and had a vision of a larger celebration tht the entire community could take part in. He approached the event coordinator at the Fairview event, Shelton Slade, about moving the event to the Delaney Park Strip. He agreed.
In 1993, Dino Allen with the assistance of others in the community, coordinated and held the first Annual Juneteenth Celebration on the Delaney Park Strip. There were thousands in attendance and plenty of food and fun for everyone! those first years had the support of the Fairview Recreation Center, Alyeska Pipeline, Roscoe's, Carrs, Coca Cola, BP, the Municipality of Anchorage and Conoco Phillips. Everything was free except the items provided by the vendors. Times were good for all.
In 1994, the African American Historical Society of Alaska (AAHSA) was formed. This organization was headed up by Dino Allen. They formed a partnership with Ed Wesley and the African American Business Council. They then took on the mantle of event coordinators and worked with various members of the community to plan and implement the event.
In 1995, Dino Allen incorporated the African American Historical Society of Alaska and also formed D&D Productions to act as a year-round-fundraising entity for AAHSA. Though the African American Business Council and others that were instrumental in this great merger are no longer active in Alaska, Juneteenth lives on!
In 2001, Dino Allen and Dr. Ronald V. Myers, were instrumental in the passing of House Bill 100 which made the third Saturday in June the official Juneteenth Observance Day in Alaska. Dino also joined the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation's (NJOF) Board which Dr. Myers was and still is Chairman. House Bill 100 was signed and put into effect by Alaska House of Representatives members McGuire, Hayes, Halcro, Murkowski, Meyer, Dyson, James, Cissna, and Croft. The Alaska State Senators were Davis, Ellis, Olson, Leman, Lincoln, Elton, and Ward. It was through the support and vision of these individuals that we can celebrate Juneteenth Observance Day here in Alaska as a Holiday Observance.
In 2003, Dino turned leadership of AAHSA over to Robby Robinson and Gwendolyn Alexander. Dino still retained his membership in the NJOF and took on an advisory position with AAHSA. Robby took the reins and continued to bring the Juneteenth Celebration to us here in Anchorage with the support of various organizations and individual business owners.
In 2006, Robby felt the need to retire as President of AAHSA and turned things over to Gwendolyn Alexander and took on the role of Agent and Advisor. She has worked with the Juneteenth event since 1995. Beginning as teh entertainment coordinator and woking in the office as a part-time secretary as well as helping D&D Productions raise money for the event year round by taking photographs at various locations and selling them. Gwen has added more community based events and services to the AAHSA venues. These events are either free to the public or fundraisers to support AAHSA's various events.
In 2007, AAHSA tradmarked Juneteenth in Alaska in the effort to bring the African American community together as one celebration. We strive to bring together our people that have gone through trying times and times of plenty. In working together we can achieve a better life for our youth as well as pay tribute to our ancestors by acknowledging and understanding what they went through for the few freedom we enjoy today.
It is our hope that we can be of service to our community in the years to come as an educational bridge between the races. We are always in search of information on the contributions of African Americans here in Alaska and we hope to continue with our goal, to educate the community at large on African American history.
Other Past Supporters:
Linda Pennywell, African American Calendar 1993 which held contacts for all African American business owners in Alaska as well as lists of African American events.
Don Barnes, the co-founder for D&D Productions 1993-94
Hyacintha Allen, co-owner of D&D Productions
Kelvin forest, Vice President for D&D Productions 1995-97
Corenthia, Owner of Black Arts North and Entertainment Coordinator 1994
AAHSA Board of Directors:
Gwendolyn Alexander
Kenneth Dallas
Pamela Thomas
Danny Williams
Charles Alexander
Jada Alexander
John Winn
Juneteenth Committee Members:
Jasmine Battle
Adrian Battle
Jerome Smith
Janet Benson
Janece Richard
Alitha Adkins
Alison Alexander
Marcellis Alexander
Jean Pollard
