Paul B. Redman
While Longwood Gardens is undoubtedly a place of spectacular horticultural beauty, we are much more than a place for plants. Above all else, we are a place for people.
At Longwood, we work tirelessly to bring joy and inspiration to everyone through the beauty of nature, conservation and learning. In this, not only are we leaders and innovators in the art and science of horticulture — but we are a place that strives to enrich society through learning and through serving and engaging with our community. Our Gardens are intrinsically tied to the communities in which we live and work, and we work to ensure that our community and our Gardens grow stronger together.
Of course, community engagement would not be possible without passionate organizations with whom we are honored to know and work alongside. This year, and the last three years, we have proudly partnered with Voices Underground to support and present programs honoring Juneteenth where we serve as the kick-off event to a weekend of activities in our community — and across the state of Pennsylvania — to commemorate this national holiday.
Jenkins is joined by Dr. Jonathan Square, assistant professor at Parsons School of Design and fellow in the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, as well as Dr. Kimberly McGlonn, founder and CEO of Grant BLVD and Blk Ivy Thrift, an advocate for justice and environmentalism, which in turn informs her approach to leadership in the fashion industry.
Following the discussion, the event includes a fashion show highlighting the work of several African American curators and designers, as well as a musical performance by singer Madelyn Brene, whose incredible vocal stylings combine elements of opera, jazz, hip-hop, and R&B.
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Following the event, the evening concludes with our “Freedom” Illuminated Fountain Performance in our Main Fountain Garden, which honors and recognizes the themes of freedom, of hope, of strength.
Based in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, and born from Chester County’s deep connection to the Underground Railroad, Voices Underground works with communities in telling the stories of local African American history to promote racial awareness and healing.
For Juneteenth, Voices Underground serves as the official facilitator across Pennsylvania thanks to a generous grant from the State of Pennsylvania and is not only working to commemorate the struggle for freedom, but also to develop events, activities, and opportunities for communities to gather and mark the holiday together.
The June 16 program at Longwood, “Fashioning Freedom,” reflects the ever-expanding partnership between Voices Underground, Longwood Gardens and Lincoln University, the nation’s first degree-granting historically black college and university, located in Chester County.
“Fashioning Freedom” is a dynamic mix of fashion, song, and conversation.
Kimberly Jenkins, founder of The Fashion and Race Database and Arts Solomon Consulting, leads the evening, starting with a lecture and discussion on the impact on self-expression, politics, race, psychology and anthropology. Through her work, Jenkins has spent more than a decade studying the impact of our clothes and how we express ourselves.
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We are honored to host the event and to be part of the celebration of Juneteenth in our region. We have a strong connection to the story of the Underground Railroad, particularly through Longwood’s ownership of the Longwood Cemetery, the Longwood Meeting House and the nearby Cox House, all of which played important roles in the Underground Railroad.
Telling stories of those lives both lost and freed, and those people of all races working together during this movement will bring forward an important message to us all, that there can be racial healing if truth is honored. Our continuing work with Voices Underground reflects our commitment to ensure these important stories help to bring greater understanding and appreciation of our shared history.
Here at Longwood, we have much beauty — and many stories — to share. But that beauty, and those stories, are nothing without the community in which we belong. And we couldn’t be more honored to come together to not only commemorate Juneteenth, but to continually work to strengthen our community and its people.
Tickets to Fashioning Freedom, which include all-day Gardens Admission, are available at longwoodgardens.org/events-performances/events/fashioning-freedom.
Paul B. Redman is the president and chief executive officer of Longwood Gardens.
