Juneteenth commemorates the end of the Civil War and the emancipation of Black Americans.

However, before freedom was granted to enslaved people in the United States, those seeking freedom would travel along the Underground Railroad, many through Ohio and even Alliance.

Those freedom seekers had a unique way of communicating – the Negro Spiritual, which has since been renamed African American Spirituals. Sung by enslaved people and their descendants since as early as the 18th century, they are still sung today.

Valerie Boyer, who describes herself as a vocalist, musician, dancer, poet, activist, minister, historian, and an educator, will discuss those songs and their meanings during a visit to Rodman Public Library at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 17.

Registration is required to attend at rodmanlibrary.com.

Being held ahead of Juneteenth (June 19), “Coded Language of Negro Spirituals During the Underground Railroad” explores what makes those songs such a brilliant form of resistance by discussing the hidden messages coded within them. When someone who didn’t need to know, such as an overseer or master, heard these spirituals, the assumption was often that they were about heaven, scripture, or biblical reference in folklore. They had no clue that these freedom seekers were singing songs of liberation, escape routes, planned resistance, and so much more.

Born and raised in Galveston, Texas, Boyer was groomed in southern hospitality and shares that kindness everywhere she goes.

As a member of the National Forensics League, 2012 Miss Juneteenth Ambassador, and UpStart Magazine’s 2019 Black Historian of the Year, Boyer has been able to travel the country, and has been featured at venues across Ohio.

A graduate of Howard University, she resides in Columbus and has taught social studies for years.