Also known as Freedom Day, Jubilee Day and Liberation Day, Juneteenth marks the anniversary of when Union Major General Gordon Granger landed at Galveston, Texas, with the news that the Civil War ended and that enslaved people were now free. The announcement came two months after the Confederate army surrendered and two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation.

In most communities around the U.S., Juneteenth is an annual tradition and celebration of Black pride and joy. From coast to coast, children, families and loved ones gather to honor the jubilee of their ancestors’ freedom and their hope for future generations.

Whether this is your first year recognizing Juneteenth or your 90th year, we encourage you to reflect, act and celebrate with others in your community to ensure an equitable world for all. We’ve collected a list of events in our priority places – find an event online or in person near you!

Ways to Reflect

Ways to Act

Following are five suggested ways to take action during Juneteenth, from the Institute For Entrepreneurial Leadership (IFEL), a nonprofit organization that supports economic development through entrepreneurship. Learn more about volunteer opportunities offered by the Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership in support of Black-owned businesses at smallbusinessesneedus.org.

  1. Purchase goods and services from Black-owned companies.
  2. Volunteer to use your professional skills to assist a Black-owned business.
  3. Connect with five new Black individuals on LinkedIn who are in your industry/profession.
  4. Attend a ‘Juneteenth’ cultural celebration (see recommendations below!)
  5. Educate yourself about the racial wealth gap and expand your knowledge of Black history.

Ways to Celebrate 

Following are some community-based events in WKKF’s priority places – Michigan, Mississippi, New Mexico and New Orleans. 

Michigan

Battle Creek

Detroit

  • Juneteenth Freedom Fest. In partnership with The City of Detroit, Detroit Branch NAACP, Juneteenth Jubilee, Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, Detroit Means Business and the Eastern Market Development Corporation, Juneteenth Freedom Fest will be held at Eastern Market, Shed 5 on June 19. 
  • The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History is hosting Juneteenth Jubilee Weekend on June 18 and 19, with both in-person and virtual events. 
  • Juneteenth: A Look into the Past and Future will be hosted by Wayne State University on June 16, with panelists exploring the legacy, historical journey, and the impact that Juneteenth has had on society and the university.
  • 2022 WSU Juneteenth Closing Celebration will be held on June 17, with a Freedom March from Wayne State University Damon J. Keith Center for Civil Rights to Gullen Mall.
  • Juneteenth: We the People is a virtual event being held on Sunday, June 19, presented by PBS books and produced by the BLK Freedom Collective this is a collaboration of 10 African American historical and cultural institutions across the country.

Grand Rapids

  • Baxter Juneteenth Celebration will be held in Baxter Park on June 18, hosted by Habitat for Humanity of Kent County, Urban League of West Michigan, GR Cure Violence, and Kenneth Cortez Productions LLC.
  • Justice 4 All Juneteenth Jam will be held on June 19 in Rosa Parks Circle, with live music, community speakers, and black-owned food and business vendors.  
  • The 2nd annual Juneteenth Pop Up is happening on June 19 at Martin Luther King Jr. Park, with food, live music and games. 

Lansing

  • Lansing Juneteenth Celebration kicks off with a ceremony and essay competition/scholarship awards program at Lansing Community College on June 16, followed by a two-day Juneteenth Freedom Festival featuring the African American Parade on June 17 and 18 at St. Joseph Park.

Kalamazoo

Mississippi (Jackson)

  • Juneteenth on Farish, held on June 18, is an opportunity to celebrate heritage and culture on the historic Farish Street in Jackson, Mississippi. 
  • Juneteenth Festival – Business Expo 2022 will be held at Smith Park, filled with diverse Black-owned businesses, fun, food, music, and more.
  • Juneteenth Jackson Expo will be held at the New Horizon Event Complex on June 17 and 18. The event will include a tribute to Grammy-award winning artist, Bobby Rush, with the unveiling of a section of Ellis Avenue renamed in his honor, a caravan parade and a free concert starring the blues legend from Mississippi.
  • Juneteenth R&B Jam will be held at the Mississippi Coliseum on June 19, featuring multi-platinum and Grammy Award-winner Monica, multi-platinum and three-time Grammy Award-winner Ne-Yo, and August Alsina, and Cupid LIVE. 

New Mexico

  • Juneteenth Freedom Day Event at Campus Park will be held on June 17 in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, featuring food, activities, live music, and a beer garden. 
  • Juneteenth 2022 will be held at Civic Plaza in Albuquerque on June 18 and 19. Presented by BLK GOLD COLLECTIVE, it will feature performances from numerous artists. 

New Orleans

  • New Orleans Juneteenth will be held between June 18 and June 20, with the Juneteenth Festival occurring at Louis Armstrong Park on June 19.
  • WBOK Juneteenth Freedom Fest, a citywide celebration of Black liberation, culture, advancement and togetherness, will take place outside on June 19 on Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard, from the intersection at Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard to the intersection at St. Mary Street.
Minda Corso
Minda is the digital communications manager at the foundation. She is responsible for hands-on execution of integrated digital marketing and communications strategies to support organizational as well as internal and external communications goals and objectives. She works with the communications team to identify, develop and execute digital marketing and communications tactics across the WKKF digital ecosystem. She collaborates with organizational peers and teams to elevate the foundation’s strategies, programmatic priorities, and relationships with priority audiences, including internal staff, grantees and external stakeholders.

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