Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration of the ending of slavery. Dating back to 1865, it was on June 19th that the Union Soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the war had ended and that all slaves were now free. Note that this was two and half years after President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation - which had become official January 1, 1863. The Emancipation Proclamation had little impact on the Texans due to the minimal number of Union troops to enforce the new Executive order. However, with the surrender of General Lee in April of 1865, and the arrival of Gen. Granger's regiment, the forces were finally strong enough to influence and overcome resistance. 

The Tampa Bay chapter of the 100 Black Men of America decided in December 2004 to make Juneteenth one of its annual signature events paired with the Imani celebration which is held on the last weekend of the month of December.  Considering that Juneteenth falls on the same weekend of Father's day, the 100 found it appropriate to integrate these two special occasions into one event.  The Herbert Carrington Award is given to the deserving father who the 100 feels exemplifies the role of father and good citizen in the community, in honor of the late Mr. Herbert D. Carrington Sr. who passed away in his prime at the age of 107 in 2006.