Experience Juneteenth in Metro Detroit!

Juneteenth is here and there is much to celebrate, learn and reflect on.

First, a little background on this holiday. When the Emancipation Proclamation became official in 1863, President Lincoln declared an end to slavery in the southern states. However, the enslaved people of Texas remained unaware of this monumental legislation until two years later, on June 19, 1865.

On June 17, 2021, President Biden, signed a bill inaugurating June 19th as Juneteenth National Independence Day, a nationally recognized US federal holiday.

The Detroit Regional Chamber shares in a June 2021 article why and how Celebrating Juneteenth Matters for Everyone.

Here in Detroit, Juneteenth will continue to be celebrated through various expressions and spaces, allowing everyone to learn, experience, and get involved in community engagements. From festivals to movie screenings, retail specials, art exhibits, and more, there’s something for everyone to dive into.

Detroit

The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History is celebrating the holiday with the Juneteenth Freedom Fest on Sunday, June 16 at the Eastern Market.

Or join the Charles Wright Museum of African American History for its annual Juneteenth Jubilee Celebration. Celebrate the power of freedom through special activities designed to highlight and support education, economic independence, and community engagement. In addition to their key Juneteenth activities, visitors can take the opportunity to visit their four current exhibitions. They can follow the footprint of freedom in the core exhibition, And Still We Rise, and explore the identity of black men in Double ID, from the CCH Pounder-Kone Collection. They can also enjoy the incredible photography and insight on surviving and thriving in their exhibitions The Audacity to Thrive by Adreinne Waheed, and Paths To Freedom featuring the work of John E. Dowell.

Head to downtown Pontiac for their Juneteenth Freedom Day Festival on June 15. The activities will begin with a parade to kick off this important time stamp in history and proceed with a fireworks display later in the evening.

Take a tour with the City Institute on Black History by the People Who Lived It. On this one-of-a-kind tour, you’ll walk through downtown hearing about Glen’s experiences with some people and places that are well-known like Black Bottom, Hudson’s, and Coleman Young. Still, you’ll also hear about Black businesses and inspirational people that many people have forgotten, or perhaps never knew about at all.

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