Juneteenth at AGS

FNGs: none
Warm Up: butt-kickers, high knees, kareoke, imperial walkers and good mornings
The Workout: Yesterday was Juneteenth, the celebration of the official end of slavery in the United States. As a celebration and recognition of the impact that black people have had on our community, we made five stops in town while getting in 4.4 and some good hill work. Here are the five stops we made:

Holly Springs Elementary (Hunt Center)
– a public school teaching black children
– served Holly Springs for 50 years
– the Hunt Center is named for W.E. Hunt, former principal of Holly Springs Elementary

Grigsby House (412 Grigsby Ave)
– home of George and Gladys Grigsby
– an influential black family in Holly Springs
– ran the Packhouse (local meeting place)

First Baptist Church (208 Grigsby Ave)
– started by about 50 freed black men after Civil War
– originally a log cabin
– many black people who helped start the town before civil war stayed after emancipation

Dessie Mae Womble (Police station)
– first black female police chief in NC

The Packhouse (412 N Main St)
– popular local meeting place
– ran by the Grigsby family
– currently, there is a push to preserve it

Parrish Womble Park
– named after Parrish “Ham” Womble
– first black LEO at Wake County’s Sheriffs Dept
– went on to serve on the Holly Springs town council and as Mayor of Holly Springs
– nicknamed “Mr Holly Springs” for his devotion to the town

This really only scratches the surface of black history in Holly Springs and the surrounding communities. You can read some more at the linked resources below.

T-Claps (Recognition): Warbucks for gathering supplies for the UNC NCCC (and for those who donated). Good work HIM.
Prayer: Prayers for all of the fathers out there.
Additional Resources:
https://www.hollyspringsnc.us/1661/Black-History-Month
https://hollysprings.suburbanlivingmag.com/these-old-houses-part-vii-by-barbara-koblich-town-of-holly-springs-historian-2/
https://www.findingpatiencemusical.com/about