August Wilson Center honors Juneteenth during monthly Intermission event

The August Wilson African American Cultural Center’s most recent monthly Intermission event series fell on Juneteenth, a Federal holiday to commemorate the emancipation of slaves within the United States.

The event offered networking opportunities, live music by DJ Nate Da Barber, food by the Black-owned business Hysyde Lounge, live entertainment, gallery tours and an interactive photo booth.

Orlando Watson, AWAACC’s senior director of programming, described Intermission as a monthly meet and greet.

“The purpose of Intermission is to bring people together from all walks of life,” he said.

He said Intermission has caused a major upswing in community morale and visibility of the center and said he looked forward to seeing the Legacy Arts Project, an African dance and drum circle group, perform.

“They do an incredible job,” he said.

Naomi Ilochi of the Legacy Arts Project shared that they strive to preserve, promote and create Africana arts that honor the history, heritage and cultures of the African diaspora.

“It definitely means a moment to celebrate ourselves beyond a chapter in our history that was very volatile to say the least,” she said of Juneteenth. “It gives us a moment to rewrite our stories and challenge the narrative created.”

Ruth Quint represented the League of Women Voters Greater Pittsburgh at the event.

“When there’s all this push back on DEI and any mention of African American history, I think it’s important to remember our history, the good and the bad and to celebrate the big and little steps we’ve made,” Quint said. “That’s what we’re doing here today.”

Tami and Arthur Harris, both from Schenley Heights, attended Intermission and immediately visited the “Writers Landscape” exhibit, which outlines the life of August Wilson and has been at the center for three years.

“I sat in (Eddie’s) when I was young,” Arthur Harris said, referring to the restaurant where Wilson created the concept for his play “Jitney.” “My mom and aunt worked here until it closed.”

“This is my great aunt Kathleen Halloway,” said Tami Harris while pointing to a picture in the exhibit. “She’s also in other photos that Teenie Harris took in the ‘40s.”

Despite having the same last name, they are not related to Teenie Harris.

Vendor Cheana Fraizer was at Intermission selling the jewelry that she’s been handmaking for the past 10 years.

“Juneteenth means independence. It means freedom. It means collective creativity and empowerment,” Fraizer said. “It’s a perfect holiday to be an entrepreneur because it gives us so much inspiration.”

Chatesha Mossett provided attendees with a chance to capture this Juneteenth with her company Mirror Memories Pittsburgh, an interactive photo booth for attendees. She has been a part of Intermission for the last few months.

“It feels good to be a part of (Intermission),” “I’m grateful to be here,” she said.

University of Pittsburgh student and Detroit native Amaya Gilbert sees Juneteenth as a time to be proud to be Black. She has been to the AWAACC before with her school but this is her first time coming by herself.

“I wanted to celebrate Juneteenth someway, somehow,” Gilbert said.

Watson is humbled reflecting on Juneteenth as a Black man, husband, father of two kids and working at the August Wilson Center — he views the late playwright as a major figure in Black culture.

“Celebrating Juneteenth is a reflection of how far we’ve come — from chains to having buildings with our names,” he said.