1+ week, 1+ day ago   (889+ words) National Park ServiceMaggie Lena Walker devoted herself to improving the lives of Black Americans. Born enslaved during the Civil War, Maggie Lena Walker grew up in Richmond, Virginia, the former capital of the Confederacy. But during her life, she made…...

1+ week, 5+ day ago   (376+ words) Following weeks of public backlash after Leesburg leaders declared Bike Fest a paid city holiday and not Juneteenth, leaders reversed course and voted to officially add the latter to the city’s holiday calendar. The Leesburg City Commission voted 4-1 on Monday,…...

1+ week, 6+ day ago   (226+ words) Hickory Grove Church (20) After separating from the Union Baptist Association (U.B.A.) in October 1884, Hickory Grove operated as an independent Baptist church. No longer a purely Baptist work, preachers from different denominations were invited to conduct worship services. Possibly by design, this…...

2+ week, 6+ day ago   (488+ words) Juneteenth will become a paid holiday for City of Leesburg employees after commissioners reversed their previous decision Monday night, drawing applause from residents gathered inside City Hall. The commission voted 4-1 to add Juneteenth to the city’s paid holiday schedule, with…...

3+ week, 1+ day ago   (205+ words) Leesburg commissioners will reconsider making Juneteenth a paid holiday for city employees during Monday’s commission meeting. The reversal comes after the July 13 commission meeting, where commissioners voted to designate New Year’s Eve and the Friday of the annual Leesburg Bikefest…...

3+ week, 2+ day ago   (818+ words) The Leesburg City Commission is slated to reconsider designating Juneteenth as a paid municipal holiday during its upcoming Aug. 24 meeting, following intense and heartfelt community backlash over a recent personnel policy update. During a July meeting, the commission rejected the…...

4+ week, 1+ day ago   (448+ words) A decision by the Leesburg City Commission to add two paid city holidays while excluding Juneteenth has sparked sharp criticism from community members who say the board prioritized local entertainment and seasonal festivities over national history and civil rights. At…...