BUFFALO, N.Y. — As Western New Yorkers celebrated freedom on Juneteenth on Wednesday, one community used the holiday as an opportunity to reunite.
The Masten District held what it called its “inaugural family reunion” Wednesday in MLK Park, as an event aimed at helping return the neighborhood to what it used to be.
Buffalo Common Council member Zeneta Everhart told 2 On Your Side that the neighborhood used to be a place where children weren’t just raised by their family, but by their neighbors too.
She said over the years the community has lost that part of its identity, which is why she helped coordinate the family reunion to try and reunite and reintroduce neighbors during the event.
“We are bringing the village mentality back,” she told 2 On Your Side. “We are going to make sure that our families know who each other are. We're going to make sure that the kids in the neighborhood know who each other are. Everybody just come outside, get to know each other, say hi to a neighbor, say hi to a friend, but also come out and listen to some beautiful music.”
The event included live music, a bounce house, slushies, and barbecue to celebrate both the neighborhood’s reunion and the importance of the Juneteenth holiday. They even capped the evening off with fireworks.
While Wednesday’s event was just the first, Councilwoman Everhart said she expects it to return in the future and for years to come.