Around Town

‘Juneteenth’ Celebration Set for June 19 at Waveny

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A popular community event that marks a federal holiday celebrating freedom is coming to a new venue this month: Waveny Park. Every year, local nonprofit organization Stand Together Against Racism hosts a picnic to celebrate Juneteenth. “Juneteenth signifies the Declaration of Emancipation for African-Americans,” S.T.A.R. founder Fatou Niang said. “For some, it is considered the second real independence day, because that was the moment that marked the freedom for all Americans, including the black population.”

To be held 3 to 7 p.m. on Friday, June 19 on Waveny’s main lawn, this year’s Juneteenth includes several special features, she said. “Every year, we celebrate with a picnic-style event that is free to all family members and community members, and out-of-towners are also welcome,” she said.

Around Town

Q&A: ‘Runway’ Fashion Event from S.T.A.R. Set for Friday at Waveny House

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A New Canaan nonprofit organization is celebrating diversity in fashion this week with a special event at Waveny House. S.T.A.R., or Stand Together Against Racism, is putting on “Runway-Connecting Threads, The Fabric of Us” at 6 p.m. on Oct. 10 (tickets here). We put some questions to the organization’s founder and CEO, Fatou Niang, ahead of Friday night. Here’s our exchange.

Opinion

Op-Ed: S.T.A.R. Five-Year Anniversary

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As founder and CEO of Stand Together Against Racism (S.T.A.R.), I am deeply honored to celebrate our organization’s fifth anniversary—a milestone made possible by the unwavering support of the New Canaan community and our many partners. Five years ago, S.T.A.R. was born out of a collective call for justice following the murder of George Floyd. What began with a march through our town and a commitment to partnership with the New Canaan Police has grown into a movement that empowers residents with the tools, resources, and brave spaces needed to drive transformative change. Our mission remains clear: to ensure that everyone in New Canaan feels they belong. Over the years, S.T.A.R. has brought people together through impactful programming—from our Juneteenth celebrations drawing hundreds, to youth art showcases that elevate student voices on social justice, our annual fund-raiser, Soul•Fête which is a celebration of elevated black cuisine and culture, and many more.

Around Town

‘Soul•Fête: A Culinary Immersion’ Set for Feb. 26 at Carriage Barn [Q&A]

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The second edition of “Soul•Fête: A Culinary Immersion”—the only fundraiser for local nonprofit Stand Together Against Racism or ‘S.T.A.R.’— is coming to the Carriage Barn Arts Center 6 to 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 26 (tickets here). We put some questions to S.T.A.R. founder Fatou Niang ahead of the big night. Here’s our exchange. ***

What is “Soul•Fête: A Culinary Immersion” and how does this event tie into the mission and work of S.T.A.R.?

Around Town

S.T.A.R.’s ‘Juneteenth’ Celebration Set for Next Wednesday, June 19 [Q&A]

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New Canaan nonprofit organization Stand Together Against Racism, or S.T.A.R., will hold its annual Juneteenth celebration next week. Free and held on Wednesday, June 19 at the New Canaan Museum & Historical Society, Juneteenth marks the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States. We put some questions to S.T.A.R. Founder and CEO Fatou Niang ahead of the festivities. Here’s our exchange. ***
New Canaanite: STAR.’s Juneteenth celebration at the New Canaan Museum & Historical Society started out as a large gathering and it grew again in its second year.