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For Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC), Juneteenth is not only a celebration but a chance to reflect on the significance the holiday has for the descendants of enslaved people in the United States. To mark the occasion, GGC held its inaugural Juneteenth luncheon on June 13. 

According to event organizer Ryan Smith, there’s nothing better than food to bring people together. 

“This was an opportunity to get the GGC community out of their respective spaces and together in one area where they can enjoy fellowship,” said Smith, who is GGC’s assistant director of Student Life. “But one of our main goals was to share knowledge about the origins and facts surrounding Juneteenth.”

Amid the soulful sounds of African American-inspired music from the past and present, participants strolled around the room gazing at photos, information and facts about Juneteenth and African American trailblazers who advocated to make it a state and federal holiday.

One of those participants was Dr. Kristina Watkins-Mormino, associate dean of student concerns in GGC’s School of Liberal Arts.

“It was interesting to read about alternate dates that were proposed to mark the end of slavery in the United States,” she said. “I did not know there was a Juneteenth flag, so that taught me something.”

Watkins-Mormino said she enjoyed the event and the chance to speak with members of the GGC community about Juneteenth.

“The best thing about this was the opportunity to learn about the holiday and have open and frank discussion about how it relates to our history,” she said.

Smith said about 50 people attended the luncheon, which was the college’s first foray into an annual campus celebration and an excellent opportunity for participants to enjoy each other’s company in a close setting.

Building on the success of the day, Smith has big plans for the future.

“Next year, we plan to build upon the momentum and expand the scope and reach of the event,” he said. “We’d love to include student performances, speeches and special guests. We want the event to represent a celebration of us as individuals and to unify us as members of the GGC community.”

View and download inaugural Juneteenth celebration photos.