Mike Newman

 It’s a tradition for Plano’s Douglass Community. June 19 is a day for celebration, for fun, for family and friends, and a day to honor African-American heritage. This year’s gathering—to mark the day of emancipation of the last remaining slaves in this country—included a number of community organizations, churches, lots of food, and fun. The annual basketball challenge didn’t go well for the Plano police team, which took a 66–29 drubbing at the hands of the Douglass All Stars. But outside on the community center stage it was music, dancing, martial arts, and mimes. The program went on into the evening as blues singer Andrea Dawson and R&B band VINJAC took the stage. Community groups including North Texas Sister 2 Sister sponsored outreach booths, and churches like North Dallas Community Bible Fellowship featured their youth groups.

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