Summer has begun, which means Madison is preparing for Juneteenth festivities. Residents on the west side didn’t have to wait long though, as the Lussier Community Education Center hosted its annual Juneteenth Dinner on Friday, June 5. Lussier, located on the West Side, invited the community to celebrate with soul food, Juneteenth crafts, and karaoke. With only about 60 people in attendance, the intimate event provided a space for its close community to share memories and educate each other.
Charlotte, a volunteer with the Madison Children’s Museum, has been attending the Lussier Center’s community dinners for the past three years. On the importance of Lussier’s opportunity to bring the community together for Juneteenth holiday, she says, “This is important to celebrate how far we have come and continue Black liberation”.
Community members enjoyed a soul food dinner of fresh fried catfish, spaghetti, salad, and banana pudding, all prepared by volunteers. Neighbors catch up over food while groups of kids run by carrying basketballs. Also in the gymnasium, craft stations lined the walls providing activities curated by Lussier and Madison Children’s Museum volunteers. Among these activities, Juneteenth themed button making featuring prominent Black historical figures and Juneteenth symbols was a crowd favorite.
In the youth room, the sounds of karaoke songs flood out, sung by the heart of the community, according to Monique who is celebrating Juneteenth at Lussier for the first time. “What makes Lussier special is the kids,” she said.”Here, they are free to be themselves, they are the community.”
The reliably welcoming environment and engagement that Lussier provides allows the community to build unity at all times of the year. This includes monthly community dinners and senior lunches, which sustain the community and make the Juneteenth event possible.
When celebrating Abolition and Black liberation it’s important to look towards the goals and future of Madison’s Black community, Monique said.
“Looking forward I want Madison to work on integrating Black culture into the city and highlight Black innovation,” she said. On a similar note, Charlotte said,“I want to see a stronger community, more opportunity, and Madison to freely celebrate Blackness”.
Lussier welcomes everyone to their community dinners held on the first Friday of every month.
