'We just done came a long way': Civil rights foot soldier celebrates Juneteenth in Birmingham

'We just done came a long way': Civil rights foot soldier celebrates Juneteenth at Birmingham Civil Rights Institute The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute hosted its Juneteenth Jubilee, marking the first time the celebration included the entire Civil Rights District with a block party that brought together history and celebration. "Juneteenth is important because it was one of those things that, growing up, I didn't know about until I was an adult. I grew up in Detroit, and for me to not know about Juneteenth until I was an adult was kind of, kind of hurtful," said Charles Casey, who traveled from Detroit. Hundreds gathered at the institute to honor Juneteenth, the federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. While emancipation brought freedom to millions, the struggle for civil rights and equality continued, and for many, the day serves as a time to reflect on those sacrifices. Patricia Wright-Jenkins, a foot soldier in the Civil Rights Movement, shared her perspective on the significance of the day. "Juneteenth means a lot to me because of what I've been through," Wright-Jenkins said. "The struggle as being bit by a dog, hosed down, locked up in the fairground in the city jail. It's just, we just done came a long way." The Jubilee attracted families from across the country. Deborah Bowie, president of the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, emphasized the importance of engaging with African American history. "As we celebrate 250 years of what it means to be in the United States of America, it is so important to understand that all of that history, all of our history, all of our stories, and this story deserves to be included, deserves to be explored, deserves to be visited and engaged with," Bowie said. The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute plans to host the event again next year.