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Lighting Up Uptown for Juneteenth
by Tim Miner on June 17, 2020
UPDATED! In honor of Juneteenth, Bank of America Corporate Center at 100 N. Tryon St. and 300 S. Tryon Streets will light their crowns in red, black and green — the colors of the Pan-African Flag — at sunset (approx 8:41pm) on June 19.
On Saturday night (6/20), Wells Fargo’s Duke Energy Center will follow suit and light its top in green, gold and red at sunset.
This effort was led by Brittany Moore, The United State of Women North Carolina Ambassador, who wrote a letter to Charlotte’s City Council asking for a show of solidarity by celebrating Juneteenth across the skyline.
Three Questions with Brittany Moore
Where did this idea come from? And, when did you think of it?
Brittany Moore
I was inspired by the Black Lives Matter mural painted Uptown. I wanted to channel all the emotions and pain that we’ve all been feeling these past few weeks and I wanted to do something about it. I got the idea to light the city up for Juneteenth because it felt like now is the time to do it. I felt that the city was ready for this type of celebration.
What does Juneteenth mean to you personally? What do you hope others (particularly those who don’t really know much about Juneteenth) understand about its significance?
Juneteenth means freedom, sacrifice, and perseverance. I want people to understand that Juneteenth should be celebrated and embraced by all people. It pays tribute to the abolitionists and slaves who worked together to fight injustices and freedom — which was realized on June 19, 1865.
Slavery is an inescapable piece of American history and Juneteenth should be honored and celebrated for the symbol of freedom and significance that it represents.
When you show the buildings lit up on Saturday to your daughter, how do you expect to feel? What do you hope she remembers?
I expect to feel hopeful. Hopeful for her future and all the children of her generation. I might get emotional thinking of my grandparents and the things they went through to allow me to be where I am today. I hope my daughter, Brielle, remembers the celebration of her heritage and the perseverance of me, her mother, who made the city light up during an important time in our history as a country.
Photo Credit @jonny.digital
