June 12, 2025

Greenville Initiates Historic Juneteenth Community Build

News Summary

Habitat for Humanity of Greenville has commenced the first-ever Juneteenth Community Build in the U.S., starting with a new home in the Nicholtown community. LaTonya Phillips, President and CEO of Habitat Greenville, emphasized the importance of this initiative in creating opportunities for homeownership. Partnering with Juneteenth GVL, the project highlights collaboration and community engagement, with various sponsors contributing to its realization. The completion of the home aims to honor historical significance while addressing housing disparities in the area.

Greenville Launches Historic Juneteenth Community Build

Habitat for Humanity of Greenville has initiated the construction of a single-family home in the Nicholtown community, marking the first-ever Juneteenth Community Build in the United States. The framework construction began with a ceremonial wall-raising event held on June 11, which celebrated the historic end of slavery in the U.S. This initiative is aimed at providing affordable homeownership opportunities, in line with the organization’s ongoing mission.

LaTonya Phillips, the President and CEO of Habitat Greenville, underscored the importance of creating pathways to homeownership for individuals and families in the area. The project was developed in partnership with Juneteenth GVL, reflecting a commitment to community engagement, awareness, and unity.

Community and Organizational Collaboration

The Juneteenth Community Build is part of Habitat Greenville’s Bridge Build Series, which focuses on uniting people from diverse backgrounds to promote affordable housing solutions. According to Joseph Fields, the Vice President of Equity for Habitat Greenville, this build serves as a significant milestone as it is the first of its kind in the nation.

The initiative took approximately one year to plan and secure funding, emphasizing the collaborative efforts from various sponsors, including the Greater Greenville Association of REALTORS, Crescent Surgical Supply, First Baptist Greenville, and Raymond Carolina Handling. These partnerships aim to have a lasting impact on homeownership opportunities within the community.

Hope and Community Symbolism

April Evans, the Executive Director of Juneteenth GVL Inc., highlighted the project as a symbol of raising hope and community involvement across generations. The single-family home is expected to be completed in the upcoming months, illustrating a commitment to addressing housing disparities while honoring significant historical events.

Dedication Ceremony for the Dendy Family

In conjunction with the Juneteenth Community Build, Habitat for Humanity recently presented the Dendy family with a new home in Greer, constructed in collaboration with Bank of America. Many volunteers who contributed to the Dendy home attended its dedication ceremony, demonstrating the community’s dedication to supporting homeownership.

During the event, the Dendy family received custom quilts, paintings, and framed photos from local artists and organizations, reflecting the personal touch and community spirit behind their new home. Camilia Dendy spoke on the importance of patience and perseverance in pursuing housing dreams, echoing the sentiments shared by many families involved in similar initiatives.

Ongoing Initiatives for Affordable Housing

Bank of America has played a vital role in the support of Habitat for Humanity of Greenville, contributing both financial resources and volunteer efforts over the years. This partnership has strengthened the organization’s ability to address the dual challenges of homelessness and the need for affordable housing in the greater Greenville area.

Looking ahead, the Greenville Together initiative aims to house 80 individuals or families by the end of the year. Collaborative efforts with various local organizations are pivotal in working towards solutions that tackle homelessness and foster sustainable homeownership within the region.