FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 07/13/2018 Contact: Stefanie Bowers, Equity Director
Phone: 319-356-5022
2018 Juneteenth Essay Contest Winner announced
The Johnson County Juneteenth Committee
and the Iowa City Human Rights Commission sponsored an essay competition for area
youth in recognition of the annual Johnson County Juneteenth Celebration. This
year’s theme was Other Mothering: It
Takes a Village.
Mariam Keita, a rising Junior at City
High School, was selected as the winner. Her essay, entitled Braided to My Roots is available online for viewing. She was recognized on Monday, July 9, 2018, at Iowa City City Hall.
Juneteenth is the oldest known
celebration of the ending of slavery. Dating back to 1865, it was on June 19th
that the Union soldiers landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the war had
ended and the slaves were now free.
Mariam Keita stands with her essay award on Monday, July 9, 2018 at City Hall.
