The Permanent Commission on the Status of Racial, Indigenous, and Tribal Populations and the James Weldon Johnson Day Task Force will host a celebration of James Weldon Johnson Day over three days, from Friday, June 17 to Sunday, June 19.

The celebration starts in Wiscasset and will mark Maine’s first celebration of James Weldon Johnson Day.

“A true Renaissance man, Johnson was a novelist and poet, a songwriter, an educator, an attorney and a diplomat. He was also a leader in the NAACP during its early years and an outstanding voice in combating racism in our country. During his decade as executive secretary of the organization, he led the fight against racial discrimination, segregation, violence and lynching,” said Rep. Rachel Talbot Ross, commission co-chair.

Following the enactment of LD 1441, “An Act To Create a James Weldon Johnson Annual Observance Day and an Observance Task Force” in June 2021, The Permanent Commission formed a Task Force responsible for organizing Maine’s first annual James Weldon Johnson Day to honor the life and legacy of this extraordinary Civil Rights leader, who is known for co-authoring “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” widely considered America’s Black National Anthem, among many other accomplishments.

“This celebration is a fitting way to commemorate the life and legacy of this truly extraordinary man,” said Reverend Kenneth Lewis, senior pastor at Green Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in Portland, who serves on the commission as a representative of a religious institution. “I hope it will be the first of many celebrations of a day that represents a new opportunity for Maine people to learn about our shared history as we work together toward a brighter future for all our people.”

This culturally rich and exciting commemoration will start Friday, June 17 in Wiscasset, where James Weldon Johnson died in 1938.

Morning program at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church

10:30 a.m. Welcome by Rep. Rachel Talbot Ross; 10:40 a.m., remarks by state officials; 10:50 a.m., remarks by representatives from the town of Wiscasset; 11 a.m., remarks by K. Melanie Edwards, grand-niece of J.W. Johnson; 11:10 a.m., original poetry by Portland Poet Laureate Maya Williams; 11:20 a.m., performance of J.W. Johnson’s poetry by Linda Ashe-Ford; 11:30 a.m., chorus: “Lift Every Voice and Sing” and other hymns; 11:40 a.m., prayer led by Rev. Kenneth Lewis

Midday program

12 p.m. Unveiling of a James Weldon Johnson memorial project at the town common. From Commission spokesman Morgan Pottle Urquhart in a June 2 email response: “The unveiling of a temporary memorial will be at the common and we may have a final answer on the permanent location ... after the next select board meeting.”

12:30 p.m. Lunch at Wiscasset Public Library

Afternoon program at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church

2 p.m. Documentary preview and panel discussion about the life and legacy of James Weldon Johnson with filmmaker Sonya Dunn, former Florida state Senator Tony Hill, J.W. Johnson’s grand-niece Melanie Edwards, and Jacksonville cultural consultant Tony Allegretti 

Other events 

Then in Bath Saturday, June 18 at Maine Maritime Museum’s Long Reach Hall is a 1 to 3 p.m. conversation among community historians about “Recovering Maine’s Black History” and moderated by Rep. Allison Hepler, D – Woolwich. This event is hosted by the Commission and is co-sponsored by Lincoln County Historical Association and Atlantic Black Box. Community researchers and citizen historians Bob Greene, Vana Carmona, Kathy Ostrander Roberts, James Tanzer and Lisa Simpson Lutts will share with the public what they are uncovering about the lives and contributions of people of African heritage in communities from Castine to Kennebunk and well beyond.

And Sunday, June 19 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Riverbank Park in Westbrook, the Commission will participate in the Westbrook Juneteenth Freedom Celebration. Join One Westbrook and the city of Westbrook for music, speakers, art and history, commemorating Juneteenth. Speakers include Rep. Rachel Talbot Ross, Mayor Foley and Historian Bob Greene. Art projects led by Westbrook High School students will include hair beading, step dance classes, face painting and more. Music will be provided by Westbrook High School Chamber Singers and 107.9 WJZP, Portland’s only minority-owned radio station. Everyone is welcome to dance, listen and learn at this inaugural Juneteenth event.

The Commission is an independent entity with a mission to work toward ending structural racism so all communities can thrive. The Commission examines racial disparities as one tool to combat structural racism, which hurts everyone, including rural Mainers, Black and African American people, Indigenous people, other peoples of color, and all Maine residents struggling to thrive under these systems. To achieve its mission, the Commission is empowered to advise and consult all three branches of Maine government, and to introduce legislation.