This year the North Country Juneteenth Colors of Freedom celebration of the region’s role in the fight against slaver which highlights the Underground Railroad work in the area and avid abolitionist, John Brown, will be held on June 17, 18, 19 and 20. As part of the celebration, an individual, business, organization or politician will be recognized with a North Country Juneteenth Colors of Freedom Community Award. This award will be given to a person(s) who has honored an individual or organization in the Adirondack/North Country region who has made a positive impact on African American members in the community and actively promoted the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The North Country 2023 Juneteenth Colors of Freedom Community Award is given on behalf of the Adirondack History Museum, Clinton County Historical Association, John Brown Farm, John Brown Lives, and the North Country Underground Railroad Historical Association. Juneteenth is now a national holiday celebrating the end of slavery in the United States which for many in the African American communities meant freedom. The “North Country Juneteenth Colors of Freedom Community Award” will be the first of many to showcase individuals today who could have been supporters against slavery in the nineteenth century by recognizing that we are all equal regardless of racial differences.

We’re asking members to nominate any individual, business, organization or politician who has made a positive impact on an African American community in the Adirondack-North Country and actively advocates for the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion. The award will be a kick-off to the North Country 2023 Juneteenth Colors of Freedom celebration on June 17. It’s a representation of freedom then and now.

Nomination forms for the North Country Juneteenth Colors of Freedom Community Award can be found at: https://northcountryundergroundrailroad.com/forms/web/community-award-statement-timeline-2023.pdf 

Forms may be picked up from the North Star Underground Railroad Museum and the John Brown Farm. Forms may be returned via snail mail, email, or dropped off at the museums. All forms must
be received by May 31.

For further information, please contact: North Star Underground Railroad Museum President, Jackie Madison, at ugr@frontier.com or (518) 572-9552.

Photo at top: North Star Underground Railroad Museum. North Star Underground Railroad Museum website photo.