Commissioner Kionne L. McGhee and Miami-Dade County Commission Honor Cornelius Bell
In a solemn and historic proclamation, Miami-Dade County Commissioner (District 9) Kionne L. McGhee and the Miami-Dade County Commission have honored the children of Cornelius Bell, a man born before the abolition of slavery in the United States.
This proclamation, presented in honor of Juneteenth, acknowledges the enduring legacy and profound history of Cornelius Bell and his descendants, highlighting the significance of Juneteenth for their family and the broader community.
In a northern Florida graveyard, amidst the tranquil sounds of nature, 83-year-old Wilbur B. Bell knelt beside the gravestone of his father, Cornelius Bell, at Falling Creek Baptist Church in Lake City, Florida. Born on May 18, 1865, just months before the ratification of the 13th Amendment, Cornelius Bell’s life represents a bridge between a dark chapter in American history and the enduring struggle for freedom and equality. “This is my father,” Wilbur Bell said, tapping on the worn gravestone. “He represents memories.”
Cornelius Bell was born in Clinch County, Georgia, and moved to Lake City, Florida, at the age of 30. He was 75 years old when Wilbur, his youngest child, was born. Today, Wilbur and his sister, Lutisha, are the only surviving children of Cornelius Bell. Wilbur Bell’s journey to understand and honor his family’s history led him to Homerville, Georgia, where his father was born.
This proclamation recognizes the profound impact of Cornelius Bell’s life and the significance of Juneteenth, which commemorates the day in 1865 when the last enslaved Black Americans in Texas were finally set free, nearly three years after the Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth serves as a reminder of the hard-fought, gradual process towards freedom and equality for people of color in the United States.
“Juneteenth didn’t ring a bell because we never celebrated it,” Wilbur Bell said. “With the pushback on history and what the country’s been going through, Juneteenth was a new day for Black people and a new day for the country because it brought people closer together.”
This proclamation is not just a recognition of the Bell family’s history but a testament to the enduring spirit of resilience and hope that defines the African American experience. It underscores the importance of acknowledging the past while striving for a future marked by equality and justice.
Commissioner Kionne L. McGhee expressed his deep respect and admiration for the Bell family’s journey. “Honoring Cornelius Bell and his descendants on Juneteenth is a powerful reminder of the strength and perseverance that have shaped our nation,” McGhee said. “Their story is a vital part of our history and an inspiration for future generations.”
