Past Events

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Residents of Harris County have been coming together for Unity events more and more in recent years. These are just some of the events that have engaged our community, celebrated our diversity, and fostered discussions about social/racial justice issues.

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2024

• On August 7 at the Harris County Library the Chairs of the Juneteenth Celebration presented checks for $600 to two organizations.  The first was Back Snacks of Harris County who provides food packages to school children identified as needy by school counselors.  The second was Friends of the Library who supports literacy and book reading among children.  These awards were made possible by generous donations from sponsors for the Juneteenth event held on June 15 Click here for photos   (See last photo on the page)
• Members of the CRP participated in a Back to School Rush event in Waverley Hall Georgia on July 27 where we handed out EJI Calendars and books and engaging with the parents and children, describing the purpose of our project.
• The CRP sponsored a bus trip to the Equal Justice Initiative's three memorial sites in Montgomery Alabama on Thursday July 11.  There were twenty-eight people in the group, many of whom were amazed and overwhelmed at the information presented there and several people pledged to return for a more in depth tour.  Click here for photos
• The Hamilton - Hood Foundation sponsored two events in June.  The first was a community wide Jubilee Juneteenth at Pierce Chapel UMC Church on Wednesday June 19.  The second was A Historical Photography Session on the morning of Friday June 21. This  involved participants in period costumes for anyone to photograph.   Click here for event flyers.
• On Saturday June 15 The Waverly Hall Historical Society, The Community Remembrance Project, One Harris County and other sponsoring organizations produced a Juneteenth Celebration in Waverly Hall Georgia.  There was a parade, performances, awards, cultural displays, an African America quilt program, music and food at the event.  The winners of the Equal Justice Initiative Student Essay Contest were announced and the second place winner, Rhyan Bray received a check for $750, an Honorary Plaque , a book authored and signed by Brian Stevenson and other gifts provided by the EJI. The Arnold and Laura Jackson Scholarship for $1500, sponsored by the Harris County Men's Club, was announced and awarded by Laura Jackson.  Click here for photos
• Due to conflicts in the schedule of the participant, the First Place EJI Student Essay Contest was made in a private ceremony at Hamilton City Hall.  On Friday May 17, Kaylen Mahone received a check for $2,250, an Honorary Plaque, a book authored and signed by Brian Stevenson and other gifts provided by the EJI in Montgomery, Alabama. Click here for photos
• On April 11-12 One Harris County with Racial Trustbuilding of Troup County conducted a Level one Racial Trustbuilding Program at the Hamilton Fire Station 11088 GA-116 Hamilton Georgia from 5:00 to 9:00 PM both nights.  The Community Remembrance Project group organized and participated in this program.  This seminar consisted of  simple, honest, human conversation where each has a chance to speak, each can feel heard and each can listen well.  The purpose of this conversation among 20 people was to promote understanding and unity in our diverse cultural community. Click here to see photos of the presentation.

• On February 25 the Chattahoochee Valley Episcopal Ministry presented a program about everything you wanted to know about the Community Remembrance Project.  The program was held at St Nicholas Episcopal Church located at 69 Mobley Road, Hamilton Georgia at 4:00 to 6:00 PM.  We had an attendance of over 70 people, and the response was very positive.  Click here to see photos of the presentation

• On January 15, Martin Luther King Jr. Day. the Harris County Men's Club conducted an annual  parade in downtown Hamilton Georgia.  The Community Remembrance Project group participated in the parade in 2024 with a walking banner and a presentation in the program by our President  The event was free and was attended by over 250 people. Click here to read her presentation  (See second presentation at the bottom of the page)

•  The National Trust for  Historic Preservation is including the Pierce Chapel African Cemetery in Harris County on the 2023 list of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places. The 11 Most Endangered list is an annual designation of the National Trust that raises national awareness about threatened historic sites across the country. Click here to learn more

• Pierce Chapel Cemetery clean up continues, sponsored by the Hamilton – Hood Foundation. The most recent Service - Learning Event was held on Saturday May 18  Future clean up events will be announced here. Click here for more information.

• Continuing – Chattahoochee Valley Ministry, “Striving for Justice.” Meeting topics change regularly. Click here for more information

• Tell it From the Mountain is a continuing oral history project organized by the Hamilton – Hood Foundation. Click here for more information

2023

• Racial Justice Essay Contest deadline was December 30, 2023. As a component of their historical marker project, the Equal Justice Initiative sponsors an essay contest for public high school students. Students in grades 9-12 are challenged to write an essay that reflects on a historical event and connects it to present-day issues and their lived experiences. EJI typically chooses 4 to 5 winners and awards at least $5,000 in scholarships and prizes. The winners are publicly announced during the dedication of the historical marker in their community and the first place winner is asked to read their essay during the program.

• Dr. John A. Tures, Professor of Political Science at LaGrange College along with his students gave a compelling presentation to the CRP team at our monthly meeting on November 7 on "Which Counties Account For Past Lynchings And Which Do Not.  The Economics And Demographics Of Each." 

• The Tuskegee School of Architecture under the direction of Rodrick Fluker had several students prepare potential designs for our future memorial park. Many CRP members traveled to Tuskegee on September 29 for the presentation. 

• The 1st Annual Juneteenth Celebration "Remembering Juneteenth; A Cultural Showcase" was held in partnership with other organizations on June 17th at the Cathedral of Hope with a presentation on the history of Juneteenth and a celebration of freedom. Another Celebration "Discovering our Roots" was held on June 19th in partnership with the Hamilton Hood Foundation at Pierce Chapel African Cemetery with poetry, music, storytelling and genealogical information. 

• The CRP Team hosted a screening and discussion of the short film, “Segregated by Design” for Black History Month. 

• Pierce Chapel Cemetery clean up continues, sponsored by the Hamilton – Hood Foundation

• Continuing – Chattahoochee Valley Ministry, “Striving for Justice.” Meeting topics change regularly. Click here for more information

• Tell it From the Mountain is a continuing oral history project organized by the Hamilton – Hood Foundation​