Human Rights Commission Prepares For Juneteenth Event
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The Human Rights Commission is preparing to help host a special event on Juneteenth outside the National Comedy Center.
Last month, Kimberly Knight, a teacher at Jamestown Public Schools and a member of the Human Rights Commission, proposed that the commission co-sponsor a screening of "The Nutty Professor" starring Eddie Murphy in partnership with the National Comedy Center. The commission voted unanimously to sponsor the event.
This month, Knight highlighted the event as the Human Rights Commission's second official event. The first official event sponsored by the Human Rights Commission was the Jamestown Jackals preseason game in February.
The free screening of "The Nutty Professor" will take place June 19 at 7:15 pm. Knight asked any members of the Human Rights Commission planning on attending the movie to help with set up by 6 or 6:15 p.m. to allow plenty of time for interaction with community members attending the event.
"I want to truly thank the National Comedy Center for partnering with us," Knight said. "It's been amazing working with Gary and his staff."
During Wednesday's meeting, Knight unveiled the postcards for the event, as well as a poster that shows the Jamestown Human Rights Commission as the co-sponsor of the community event.
"That's excellent," she said. "I will be going out all weekend putting the posters up that I have in places, and especially at the schools."
Knight added that it is "wonderful" that the National Comedy Center partnered with the Human Rights Commission to host the event.
According to Knight, the National Comedy Center is not planning on setting up any kind of food for the Juneteenth event; however, she said two people from the Jamestown Juneteenth Planning Committee are interested in selling prepackaged concessions such as soda, water and candy.
"Dan Stone, another person to thank, will be setting up blocking off the street and setting benches," she said. "He'll set up some benches, but that's why it's like bring your lawn chair, bring your own seating, and at these movies before people are bringing food there. They're getting Little Caesars Pizza, sitting down there; they make a picnic of it with their family, and that's fine for them to bring their own food."
Asked whether there would be raffles or other activities typically planned by the Jamestown Juneteenth Planning Committee, Knight explained that the event outside the National Comedy Center is not being organized by the committee since the Human Rights Commission is co-sponsoring the event. However, she said the Juneteenth Planning Committee has "many activities" scheduled for Friday, Saturday and Sunday. For Friday's Juneteenth activity, there will be a concert at the Winter Garden Theater, followed by activities all day at Jackson-Taylor Park on Saturday and a concert at the Spire Theater Saturday night. Finally, the Gospel Fest will take place on Sunday. Additionally, Knight said the Jamestown Jackals will be hosting a basketball clinic on Saturday.
"Regina (Brackman) and the Jamestown Juneteenth Planning Committee are doing Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and the Human Rights Commission is doing Monday with the National Comedy Center," she said.
As part of the Human Rights Commission's sponsorship of the Juneteenth event, Knight said the commission will have a table at the event, will distribute Human Rights Commission "swag" products and will be interacting with people from the community.
"I want to say this is an excellent way to get our name out," she said.