11/27/2025
Happy Thanksgiving from Greenwood Rising
Today, as our team reflects on the season of gratitude, we honor the long-standing traditions of Thanksgiving within the Black community—traditions rooted in faith, resilience, and the power of coming together.
Since 1777, when the first national day of thanks was declared, Black communities have shaped this holiday through church gatherings, powerful sermons, and celebrations that held space for both struggle and hope. Even during slavery, Thanksgiving became a time to pray for freedom, rejoice in harvest, and strengthen the bonds that kept families and communities alive.
After the Emancipation Proclamation and the first official Thanksgiving in 1863, newly freed Black families used this season to reconnect, rebuild, and look toward a future shaped by courage and unity. Leaders like Reverend Benjamin Arnett reminded us to meet the challenges ahead with strength, purpose, and unwavering faith.
At Greenwood Rising, we carry these traditions of resilience and community forward.
Today and every day, we are thankful for our community—your support, your voices, and your commitment to truth and healing.
From our Greenwood Rising family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving. 🧡