Event Registration
Juneteenth Celebration
06/19/2025 07:00 PM - 08:00 PM CT
Admission
- Free
Location
Virtual: Zoom
Summary
Celebrate Juneteenth with LWVIL and special guest Van Gilmer, civil rights activist, renowned vocal soloist, composer, choral director, and music director at the Bahai House of Worship. Come to hear inspirational music and Mr. Gilmer’s stories of civil disobedience at the Greenville South Carolina lunch counters in the 1960s. Join together with League family in fellowship to commemorate the final enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation in Texas at the end of the Civil War.
Van Gilmer’s participation in the sit-ins at the Woolworth lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina in the 60’s began his longtime involvement in working for Equal Justice for all people. Mr. Gilmer graduated from NCA&T State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Architectural Engineering and worked for the United States Navy Dept where he also served several years as an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Officer. After 37 years, Mr. Gilmer retired and accepted a position as Music Director at the Bahá’í House of Worship for the North American Continent, located in Wilmette, Illinois. He continues to be involved in Civil Rights and Racial Justice movements as a member of the Wilmette Village Human Resources Commission, Race Awareness in the North Shore (RAIN), Healing Everyday Racism in our Schools (HEROS) and as a board member of Together Is Better Alliance (TiBA).
Van Gilmer’s participation in the sit-ins at the Woolworth lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina in the 60’s began his longtime involvement in working for Equal Justice for all people. Mr. Gilmer graduated from NCA&T State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Architectural Engineering and worked for the United States Navy Dept where he also served several years as an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Officer. After 37 years, Mr. Gilmer retired and accepted a position as Music Director at the Bahá’í House of Worship for the North American Continent, located in Wilmette, Illinois. He continues to be involved in Civil Rights and Racial Justice movements as a member of the Wilmette Village Human Resources Commission, Race Awareness in the North Shore (RAIN), Healing Everyday Racism in our Schools (HEROS) and as a board member of Together Is Better Alliance (TiBA).
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