Juneteenth flag raising
Featured State News

Honoring the Legacy: Durham’s Juneteenth Flag Raising Ceremony Set for June 2

Dawn Mikayla

Durham, NC – The 20th Annual NC Juneteenth Celebration kicks off with a powerful tradition: the Juneteenth Flag Raising Ceremony, held on Monday, June 2, at 11:30 AM at the Durham County Courthouse. The public is invited and encouraged to attend.

Now in its third year, the flag raising has become a signature part of the larger Juneteenth festivities, celebrating freedom, unity, and cultural pride across North Carolina.

Honoring the Montford Point Marines

A group of Montford Point Marines in their dress uniforms in 1943 at New River, NC. The Montford Point Marines fought to be assigned to infantry units and eventually won the right, taking part in some of our nation’s greatest battles. (Photo: Public Domain)

This year’s ceremony features members of the Montford Point Marines, the first African Americans to serve in the U.S. Marine Corps. From 1942–1949, over 20,000 Black men trained at Montford Point Camp in Jacksonville, NC, breaking barriers and making history. Their involvement this year offers a living connection to the sacrifices and victories of Black Americans in military service.

Ceremony Highlights

  • Master of Ceremonies: Rod Carter, CBS 17 News Anchor
  • “The Juneteenth Story”: Presented by Larry Hall, former NC Secretary of Military & Veterans Affairs
  • Freedom Document Readings:
    • Emancipation Proclamation: Bo Ferguson, Durham City Manager
    • 13th Amendment: Wendy Jacobs, Durham County Commissioner
    • General Order No. 3: Pastor Jerome J. Washington, Mount Vernon Baptist Church
  • Greetings From:
    • Mayor Leonardo Williams, City of Durham
    • Claudia Hager, Durham County Manager
    • Sheriff Clarence Birkhead, Durham County
  • Musical Performance: Dr. Charity Davis

The Cultural Significance of the Flag Raising

The Juneteenth flag raising at the Durham County Courthouse has become a powerful opening to North Carolina’s month-long celebration of Black freedom and excellence. Serving as both a historic marker and a call to reflection, the ceremony brings together community leaders, cultural contributors, and descendants of those who fought for liberation.

Phyllis Coley, North Carolina Juneteenth State Director and organizer of the event, emphasized the depth of the tradition:

“I am honored to witness the raising of the Juneteenth flag—now for the third year—as part of our 20th Annual NC Juneteenth Celebration. This tradition holds deep cultural meaning. I’m especially grateful to the Durham County Government and the Durham County Sheriff’s Office for their continued support. Raising the flag on the first Monday in June allows us to ground the month in remembrance, pride, and community.”

As the Juneteenth flag flies over Durham, it stands not only as a symbol of freedom but also as a tribute to the resilience, sacrifice, and enduring spirit of Black Americans. Rooted in history and uplifted by collective pride, the ceremony affirms that Juneteenth is not just a date—it is a movement, a legacy, and a call to keep pushing forward.

For more information, visit spectacularmag.com/juneteenth

Photo: Lawrence Davis III