06/19/2026
On June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, to notify the last Black enslaved people in the U.S. that the Emancipation Proclamation, which had been signed two years earlier, was being enforced. This announcement effectively finally freed them. The date of their delayed liberation has been celebrated annually for 159 years and has come to be known as "Juneteenth." In 2021, it was recognized as a federal holiday.
Pictured here is Mr. Alfred "Springs" Shannon (top row, far left) alongside his friends, known as the "Super Bowl Brothers." This group is credited with initiating Enid's local Juneteenth celebration. Their nickname originated from their gatherings to watch the big game in the 1980s.
Shannon started his career as a cook at Richill's Diner in Enid, where he was beloved by many. His rapport with patrons allowed him to secure sponsorships for the first Juneteenth celebration from people he served every day at the diner. Notable sponsors included local figures like Leonard Northcutt of Northcutt Chevrolet and Steven Jones, among others.
Shannon later became a renowned executive chef in the Dallas area. In 2023, he returned to the Heritage Center to share his oral history, which not only highlights his contributions to the community but also recounts the many adventures he has experienced since leaving Enid.
This photograph is part of the Alfred Shannon Collection in the archives at the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center. The bottom image is a still taken from the recording of his oral history.
Have any of you attended a Juneteenth celebration? How many of you have had the pleasure of enjoying Mr. Shannon’s cooking?
