By Vinson Biggs, Program and Community Engagement Coordinator, Tryon Palace
Each year on June 19th, communities across the nation gather to celebrate Juneteenth—not only as a commemoration of emancipation but as a living testament to the strength, resilience, and enduring spirit of African American communities. In New Bern, this celebration holds a special place. The city’s deep ties to emancipation make Juneteenth a powerful opportunity to honor our past while working toward a more inclusive future.
Since beginning my journey at Tryon Palace in January, I’ve been inspired by our leadership’s commitment to sharing the full story of African American achievement in New Bern. As a native of eastern North Carolina and a proud graduate of a regional HBCU, it’s been a lifelong goal to help amplify the often-overlooked contributions of African Americans in our state.
In 2024, while interning with NC Freedom Park in Raleigh, I developed a curriculum
highlighting African American North Carolinians who defied the constraints of slavery and
inequality in the 18th and 19th centuries. That work deepened my dedication to storytelling and prepared me for my role here at Tryon Palace.
As Program and Community Engagement Coordinator, I’m honored to help create experiences that educate and inspire. Juneteenth is not just about marking a historical moment, it’s about reclaiming and understanding the broader story of freedom.
A key example of that broader story is found in Crafting Lives by Catherine W. Bishir. The book explores the lives of African American artisans in New Bern from 1770 to 1900, both enslaved and free. Their resilience, skills, and leadership in trades, churches, and associations illustrate the very spirit that Juneteenth celebrates. Their journeys toward economic independence and social influence reflect the long arc of the freedom struggle that Juneteenth represents.
This year, Tryon Palace is proud to welcome Dr. Valerie Ann Johnson, Chair of the North
Carolina African American Heritage Commission, as our Juneteenth keynote speaker. Her
leadership and scholarship reflect our shared mission to honor the past and engage the present. This celebration is one of many ways we continue to reflect the rich heritage and communities we serve.
Bishir, C. W. (2013). Crafting lives: African American artisans in New Bern, North Carolina, 1770–1900. University of North Carolina Press.