YOUNGSTOWN ­ Olivia Barnes views last week’s declaration of Juneteenth as a federal holiday as a major step forward regarding racial reconciliation, and as a foundation upon which to build.

“I’m happy to see it recognized; I feel that we’re making progress,” the Youngstown woman observed.

Barnes made her thoughts known while attending Saturday’s 2021 Juneteenth Celebration at the Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre.

The event, which celebrated the 156th anniversary of the end of slavery in the U.S., was shortened because of the threat of severe weather. Hosting the celebration were JAC Management, Wean Park, Loud 102.3 FM and the city of Youngstown.

The four-hour celebration also came days after President Joe Biden signed legislation last week making Juneteenth the first new federal holiday since 1983, when Martin Luther King Jr. Day received such a designation.

Read MORE about the celebration in Sunday’s VINDICATOR.