Looking for educational events to celebrate Juneteenth? Here are some options

Maria Clark, The American South
·5 min read

It's been one year since Juneteenth was officially declared a federal holiday. The celebration commemorates the emancipation of enslaved people in the U.S. and has been observed by African American communities across the country since 1865.

But despite the long history of this celebration in African American communities, the significance of this historic event has not been widely taught in schools. In recent years,  Black Lives Matter and the movement for racial equity have given the holiday heightened visibility.

Juneteenth originated in Galveston, Texas after the Civil War when a group of enslaved people learned they were free, three years after the Emancipation Proclamation. For more than 150 years, this has been a day to observe that history and celebrate African American culture.

In the days leading up to June 19, communities and educational institutions across the country will host a variety of events highlighting the history of this day and the cultural contributions of African Americans. We have compiled a list of virtual and in-person events broken down by region below.

These events also include some volunteer opportunities for individuals who would like to become more involved.


Midwest

From Kwanzaa to Juneteenth Celebration (Cleveland, OH)

What: The event will include music, crafts, and storytelling. When: June 16 Where: Cleveland History Center, 10825 East Blvd.

Juneteenth Kansas City (Kansas City, MO)

What. This annual celebration includes virtual and in-person educational workshops. When: June 18. Where: 18th and Vine. More information: https://www.juneteenth-kc.com/special-workshops.

Tulsa Juneteenth Festival (Tulsa, Oklahoma)

What: This annual event featuring lives music performances, art installations, food, and wellness programming. When: June 16- 18. Volunteer opportunities are available. When: Throughout June 2022.  Where. Where: Historic Greenwood Ave.

A menu being put together for a vegan counter at one of the Juneteenth events in Indianapolis, Friday, June 19, 2020. The event recognizes the end of slavery in Texas, two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.
A menu being put together for a vegan counter at one of the Juneteenth events in Indianapolis, Friday, June 19, 2020. The event recognizes the end of slavery in Texas, two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.

Juneteenth Foodways Festival (Indianapolis, IN)

What: Learn more about the contributions of African-Americans to American cuisine at the Indianapolis Juneteenth Foodways Festival. When: June 17. Where: 1230 North Delaware St.

Juneteenth Jubilee Freedom Weekend Detroit, MI

What: The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History will host a series of educational panels that will be held in person and virtually this year, as well as activities for children and musical performances dating back to the 1860s. When: June 18-19.

South

Juneteenth Arkansas Festival (Little Rock, AR)

What: Volunteer opportunities are available at this one-day community event featuring art, entertainment and food.

When: June 18. Where: Interstate Park 3900 South Arch St.

Juneteenth 2022: Free and Empowered (Monroe, LA)

What: The Northeast Louisiana Delta African American Heritage Museum is planning an art festival to celebrate Juneteenth. The festival will highlight the work of the region's unknown or lesser-known artists. When: Artists' work will be on display throughout June. Where: 1051 Chennault Park Drive.

Emancipation Park Juneteenth 150 Celebration (Houston, TX)

What: Three-day event includes music, food, community resources, cultural center and kid zone. Volunteer opportunities are available. When: June 17-19. Where: Emancipation Park, 3018 Emancipation Ave.

The Rev. Abram Freeman, a festival organizer, welcomes guests to the Southwest Louisiana Juneteenth celebration at Henry Heymann Park in Lafayette, La., Sunday, June 21, 2015.
The Rev. Abram Freeman, a festival organizer, welcomes guests to the Southwest Louisiana Juneteenth celebration at Henry Heymann Park in Lafayette, La., Sunday, June 21, 2015.

Juneteenth Folklife Celebration (Lafayette, LA)

What: A smaller festival, the Folklife Celebration will be held this year in the heart of Lafayette and celebrates the folk art and heritage of African Americans in the region.  The celebration will highlight the folk art, heritage and traditions of African American culture in the region. When: June 18. Where: Juneteenth Freedom Tours.

Galveston tour (Galveston, TX)

Take a tour of historic Juneteenth sites and monuments on a Freedom Walk tour, the site where this celebration originated.

Juneteenth Jubilee on the lawn at the Atlanta History Center (Atlanta, GA)

What: After two years of virtual events, in-person programming featuring the history of Juneteenth, Black history and Atlanta culture. When: June 19. Where: Atlanta History Center, 130 W Paces Ferry Rd. NW.

Juneteenth of the Carolinas (Charlotte, NC)

What: This multi-day event features live music, food, historical presentations and events for children. When: June 16.19. Where: Plaza Midwood, 1215 Thomas Ave.

Gullah Juneteenth (Charleston, SC)

Learn about the food and culture of the Gullah Geechee at the second annual Gullah Juneteenth Freedom Celebration. When: June 18. Where: Gadsenboro Park, 303 Concord St.

East

Juneteenth: A Celebration of Resilience (Washington D.C.)

What: The event includes a series of interactive workshops and presentations highlighting the history and significance of the federal holiday. When: June 19-20, Where: National Museum of African American History and Culture, 1400 Constitution Ave. NW.

2022 Juneteenth Festival at the Johnson Historic Site (Philadelphia, PA)

What: The Johnson House Historic Site hosts its 16th annual Juneteenth celebration with live music, food, historic re-enactments and panel discussion. When: June 18. Where: 6306 Germantown Ave.

Embrace Ideas Festival 2022 (Boston, MA)

What: This five-day arts and culture community event includes a variety of workshops that explore topics such as healing from racialized trauma and exploring the issue of equity.

West

Black Love: A Form of Resistance at the Museum of History and Industry (Seattle, WA)

What: A storytelling session honoring the official emancipation of enslaved people in the U.S. hosted by Delbert Richardson and geared to middle and high school students. Registration required. Where: June 18.  Where: 860 Terry Ave. N.

Juneteenth Music Festival (Denver, CO)

What: Historic street festival in Denver's Five Points neighborhood includes live performances and interactive and educational programming. Volunteers are needed this year. When: June 19.

Parade participants walk east on Jefferson in downtown Phoenix during the 1982 Juneteenth parade.
Parade participants walk east on Jefferson in downtown Phoenix during the 1982 Juneteenth parade.

Valley of the Sun Juneteenth (Phoenix, AZ)

What: Phoenix will celebrate Juneteenth at with a full day of educational events, art exhibitions and live music. When: June 18. Where: Eastlake Park, 1549 E. Jefferson St.

Juneteenth at Utah State University (Logan, UT)

What: The Inclusion Center at Utah State University has planned several events  focused on teaching the legacy of Black History as it relates to Utah. The Utah Black History Museum is offering a bus tour focused on highlighting this topic. When: June 17. Where: USU Inclusion Center, 0185 Old Main Hill.

Maria Clark is a general assignment reporter with The American South. Story ideas, tips, questions? Email her at mclark@gannett.com or follow her on Twitter @MariaPClark1. Sign up for The American South newsletter. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

This article originally appeared on The American South: Juneteenth events nationwide spotlight food, culture and history