Celebrating Juneteenth and The Silver Star, One of the Oldest Black-Owned Establishments in La Grange

It would only be fitting in the aftermath of Juneteenth to honor the history, legacy and legend of La Grange’s Silver Star.

Through the years Silver Star has faced many challenges to say the least. Silver Star continues to stand, and its very existence will never cease.

This place, Silver Star, is held together with love, support and unity

The Silver Star has existed since 1932 by all accounts. That’s 89 years, almost a century.

Despite the challenges, trials and tribulations it has experienced, the Silver Star has stood the test of time.

It’s not just some old tavern, but a place to gather, share and make memories and sit down to wine and dine

Many of your parents, grandparents and ancestors left their footprints in this historic place.

Each of you have continued that legacy and for that you should hold your head up and be proud.

That old saying it takes a village is true. It is exemplified by your presence that village is you.

Together we will continue to grow the tree our ancestors have planted

Hosting events for the community you all have played a part;

We can’t forget our music Masters, our history-making DJs, keeping us on the dance floor and never missing a beat .

They give us all the blues we can use, all the soul we can hold, all the jams we need to keep us in the groove.

These guys are the best, the products of Silver Star; they’re so smooth.

For those of you who don’t know who I’m talking about; It’s Mr. David Harrison and Mr. Raymond McKenzie. Mr. Harrison started out with the Silver Star and we were blessed to have Mr. McKenzie come aboard. We love you all and thank you for everything you do.

Silver Star has embarked upon generation to generation and it is evident today. The past leaders hard work was not in vain, but continues to pave the way

To each of you, there is no limit of what Silver Star means to us.

It is a place for the community; a place for the young and old to come .

Let me be clear when I say young, I speak of the young at heart and when I say old, I speak of the seasoned; the ones who have been around and seen some stuff.

I want to take time out to thank some individuals. Thank you Earnest for your continued dedication, for standing up when others did not have Silver Star’s best interest at hand, for motivating young people when the lights seem so dim they couldn’t see their way through, for continuing to give hope and aspire one to dream and dream big.

To go after your dreams, even when you can’t see the lines in the road, or don’t know what your next move is going to be. Keeping the faith and believing. Believers make dreams come true. For keeping that Star shining bright through all the years. And letting the city of La Grange and the community know that hard work and sacrifice is not without blood, sweat and tears.

Thank you, Mr. Tommy E. Taylor, for being the light in a dark tunnel. For being a Godsend to the community when unforeseen circumstances come up and there seems there is nowhere to turn and no one to turn to. You have blessed this community and for that we are truly grateful and would like to tell you Thank you and we love you for all you do. You will never know how much we truly appreciate you and love you.

Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Johnathon Ellis (Gloria). Mr. Walter Culberson. Ms. Jackie Daniels, and Mrs. Debra Steward (The spectacular Juneteenth Committee and Members) for the outstanding work you do in the community. You have blessed the community with the gift of unity. You have led by example and showered the community with love, togetherness and education. We are grateful for your presence. We honor you for your dedication and hard work in honor of Juneteenth and all the work you do in the community and the City of La Grange.

Thank you, Ms. Debra Steward for always saying yes and never saying no when duty calls and your services are needed. You, too, are a Godsend to this community and today we say Thank you again and again for all that you do. We love you and want you to know words can never express the love and thanks we have in our hearts for all the work you do in the community in addition to your beautiful gift of song!

Last, but not least, Mayor Jan Dockery: blessings to you on your history-making legacy. We welcome you, support you and stand behind you as you embark upon this new chapter and journey in your life and new beginnings with the City of La Grange and the community.

Also, special thanks to Mr. Leslie and Charles Ellis for the outstanding work they do in keeping everything beautiful, representative and in order. We love you and appreciate you. Also Mr. Charles Williams Jr. for your prior work and dedication to the Silver Star and community.

We love you and appreciate you.

We remember and honor all our love ones, friends and family who have transitioned on and honor their memory with love and blessings in Jesus’ name.

We Thank each of you for sharing in this Juneteenth celebration in 2021. The year 2020 has presented some unprecedented challenges for each of us and it is in this time we must show love, honor and respect to one another, tell your love ones that you love them, make amends with your neighbors and love one another. We hope you had a blessed safe June 19th and don’t forget the reason for the season. Show some love.