Freeport’s Zion Cathedral held its sixth annual UBORA Juneteenth event, which honored the contributions of several Black professionals and community leaders on Long Island and recognized “Black resilience” and the liberties that African American communities were first notified of during the enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation on June 19, 1865.
“Ubora” is Swahili for “excellence,” which is precisely what Zion Cathedral did through a market gathering, where small Black businesses sold food, clothing, jewelry and more, musical performances and other forms of entertainment. The performers included dancers from CarNYval, stilt performers from USA Kaisokah, Zion Cathedral’s Flag Ministry, steel pan artist Kevin Jackson and more.
“It’s about recognizing and giving credit and honor and celebrating those in the community who are giving and serving in excellence throughout different places and businesses,” Sherri White Tatum, an event organizer, told the Herald.
Several UBORA Awards were given to honorees for their service as spiritual leaders, business owners and other community leaders. The honorees included Bishop W.R. Whitaker II, Bishop Lionel Harvey, Bishop Jeffrey L. White, Mother Reather Lewis, Audrey DuBois Harris, Gina Mitchell, John David Bratton, Glenn Gibson, Eleanor V. McKay, Karine Apollon, Catherine Hardwick and the Adams Family.
When asked why celebrating Juneteenth with the Freeport and surrounding communities is important, White Tatum said that recognizing past and present accomplishments of Black people is essential.
“What’s interesting about our Ubora celebration is that it’s not just for people who are members of Zion Cathedral,” she explained. “We are a part of the larger community and we celebrate, each other. So Juneteenth is important for us to remember where our ancestors came from, remember the accomplishments that our ancestors actually contributed to this country and what people of color are continuing to contribute to our nation.”
