The city of Garland will host its annual Juneteenth Celebration Saturday, June 17, 5 p.m. – 8 p.m., at Garland’s Audubon Park. This free, family-friendly event will commemorate the day when the last enslaved people in the United States were told they were free. It’s an important and meaningful day for everyone. The celebration will include live music, dance and speakers. There will also be a children’s activity area, food trucks and an area to reflect on the day’s significance.
This year’s speaker is Garland native Reuben Lael Griffin, son of GISD school board Trustee Linda Griffin. The Garland High School graduate is an educator, entertainer and entrepreneur who has a passion for advocating for social justice. He works diligently to make a positive impact and bring change to the community.
Griffin has been around music since his childhood because his father, Rev. Dr. Roosevelt Griffin was the pastor of St. Mark Baptist Church. He also played piano at a young age, a gift he learned from his mother who played for the church during her pregnancy.
“But it wasn’t until college when friend TaRon Lockett formed a band that created the spark try to pursue a career in entertainment,” he said. “Music is how I make the world a better place. Over a decade in the industry with great music that uplifts the soul is available on all streaming platforms. I’m also working on a new project that will be released soon.”
Being asked to be the speaker at the Juneteenth celebration is an honor that Griffin wasn’t expecting.
“I’m looking forward to sharing what Juneteenth means to me, the culture and our community at-large, especially in my hometown. It is a huge honor,” he said.
Griffin, who also serves on the City of Garland Cultural Arts Commission, added that he is excited about the progress the city is making toward celebrating all cultures. Events like the Juneteenth celebration help to build community trust and provide strategic opportunities for embracing the beauty of every culture represented by our citizens.
“This work isn’t easy, nor does it happen overnight once we discover the origins and experiences of a neighboring culture that aren’t always historically the most comfortable for all,” he said. “But celebrate we must and all who understand the power found in overcoming any type of struggle are welcome to join us.”
In addition to being a teacher, musician, performer, graphic designer and community advocate, Griffin is also the creative director of Garland MLK Youth Fine Arts Program.
The program has grown from a choir concert to a full-blown musical theatre review that received rave reviews both years that they’ve done it. They are currently getting ready for the 2024 musical, “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”
The production will return to The Granville Arts Center in January 2024, but he was sure to say that it will have a “new twist.”
“It is about 2 weeks of work that these kids prepare to bring the show to life,” Griffin said.” We are excited that the choir’s sponsors including Garland ISD, Garland NAACP and many others are already helping make this free opportunity available for children.”
The youth cast and crew includes elementary school to high school students who have a love for music, dance and theater. They come from various Garland ISD schools as well as churches and organizations across the Metroplex.
“We have kids who have been in it since they were 5 years old and are now in high school and taking on lead roles,” Griffin said. “That’s our mission, fine arts in the community to prepare students for auditions and performance who cannot afford private lessons.”
They just need an opportunity to participate so that they have:
- A happy experience
- Fun while they are doing it
- And they can use that experience for other opportunities in school or in the community.