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Celebrate Juneteenth the Detroit way with a series of free in-person and virtual programs are scheduled now until Wednesday, June 22.
Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. From its Galveston, Texas origin in 1865, the observance of June 19th as the African American Emancipation Day is spreading quickly across the United States and is growing in popularity in Detroit’s Cultural Center.
A number of Detroit’s arts, cultural and educational institutions and other partnering venues will be hosting a week-long series of free events to celebrate African American freedom, including musical performances, author lectures, poetry readings, storytelling sessions, film, and more.
People from all backgrounds are invited to join in and learn more about this period in our history that shaped and continues to influence our society today.
Events include:
Wayne State University is hosting a Juneteenth Opening Ceremony with African performances, a voter registration drive, food trucks, and live music. RSVP here.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15
Wayne State University Juneteenth Keynote Address: Did Slave Revolution Win the Civil War? With Dr. Errol A. Henderson – 2:00-4:00 PM
Location: Wayne State University David Adamany Undergraduate Library – Bernath Auditorium, 5155 Gullen Mall, Detroit, MI 48202
How did the freedom that Juneteenth celebrates actually emerge? The great scholar/activist W.E.B. DuBois argued that it emerged mainly from the actions of slaves who orchestrated a general strike to deny resources to the Confederacy; and the roughly 200,000 enslaved and free blacks who fought with the Union military to defeat the Confederacy. By transforming the Union’s initial war aims from ending the South’s secession to overturning centuries of chattel slavery, these African Americans effected a revolution to establish freedom and provide a basis for multiracial democracy in the United States.RSVP here.
Celebrate Juneteenth with Chef Scotty Scott – 6:00-7:00 PM
Location: Detroit Public Library – Virtual Event
Chef Scotty Scott shares delicious recipes to prepare for a Juneteenth celebration. Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. Chef Scott will discuss the foods you’ll find at a Juneteenth celebration and share his unique flair on the traditional recipes. RSVP here
A Juneteenth Celebration – AMPLIFYING BLACK VOICES: FREEDOM AND LIBERATION – 6:00-8:00 PM
Location: The Scarab Club, 217 Farnsworth Street, Detroit, MI 48202
The Scarab Club, in partnership with Might Real/Queer Detroit, presents an evening in celebration of Juneteenth. Amplifying Black Voices: Freedom and Liberation includes readings and performances by Tommye Blount, Mars Marshal, Lester Rambus, and Deidre D.S.Sense Smith. For more info, call (313) 831-1250.
THURSDAY, JUNE 16
Juneteenth: A Day of Remembrance – 4:00-6:00 PM
Location: Detroit Public Library – Parkman Branch, 1766 Oakman Blvd., Detroit, MI 48238
What is Juneteenth and why should we celebrate it? Join us at the Parkman Branch to find out. You can enjoy a colorful parade, music, poetry, slave testimonials, and superb storytelling by Mattie Oney. This wonderful family event will include a take and make craft for the children. All participants will receive a Juneteenth “Goodie Bag.” For more info, call (313) 640-7775.
Third Thursday Speaker Series: Juneteenth and Black Bottom – 6:30-7:30 PM
Location: Detroit Historical Museum, 5401 Woodward, Detroit, MI 48202
In honor of Juneteenth, visit the Detroit Historical Museum to discover some of the earliest stories of Black Bottom, as a bastion of anti-slavery leadership and place of new beginnings for thousands of Detroiters making their way to Canada. Angela Dillard, chair of History Department at the University of Michigan will join us for a discussion about the importance of preserving the history and stories of this significant space. This event is free with registration.
FRIDAY, JUNE 17
Wayne State University Juneteenth Closing Celebration – 2:00-5:00 PM
Location: Wayne State University Damon J. Keith Center for Civil Rights to 5221 Gullen Mall
Join WSU for their Freedom March from Wayne State University Damon J. Keith Center for Civil Rights to Gullen Mall. Stay for the African dance and drums performance, closing remarks, and networking afterwards. This event is free with registration.
Learn about the Bill Picket Rodeo at Source Booksellers – 5:00-6:00 PM
Location: Source Booksellers, 4240 Cass Ave, Unit 105, Detroit, MI 48201
We will learn about the only Black Rodeo led by Bill Pickett in the United States and watch a video. The Black Rodeo may never reach Detroit, but its history is important to African American culture. Pop-up Love Travels will also be present in the store. For more info, call (313) 832-1155.
New Center Park Juneteenth Dance Party and Friday Night Film – 7:00-11:30 PM
Location: New Center Park, 2998 West Grand Blvd., Detroit, MI 48202
Join us from 7-9PM for our Juneteenth Dance Party! Music by Gary Chandler. The film “Respect” will follow the dance party. Free popcorn for all attendees. More info here.
SATURDAY, JUNE 18
Celebrate Juneteenth at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History – All-Day Event
Location: 315 E. Warren, Detroit, MI 48202 and sites located around the greater downtown Detroit
Education will be highlighted with holiday history and folkways, as well as our Treasure Hunt and on-site programs. We will be encouraging and supporting economic independence by featuring black businesses and job opportunities. Community engagement is exemplified by our national and community partnerships, which include The League of Women Voters, We The People of Detroit, and Black Farmers’ Land Trust. Families will be encouraged to visit historic sites around downtown and near East Side Detroit. The first 5 families to register will receive a ‘Juneteenth Gift Bag’ from the Wright Museum! The BlkFreedom Film, “We The people,” will also debut on this day. For more info, call (313) 494-5800.
Storytime with Alma Greer – 12:00-1:00 PM
Location: Source Booksellers, 4240 Cass Ave, Unit 105, Detroit, MI 48201
We will host an in-store storytime for the beautiful picture book “Free at Last: A Juneteenth Poem” by Sojourner Kincaid Rolle and illustrated by Alex Bostic. The picture book will be read by StoryTellers and Educator Mrs. Alma Greer. For more info, call (313) 832-1155.
Northern Emancipation Day – A Conversation – 4:00-5:00 PM
Location: Source Booksellers, 4240 Cass Ave, Unit 105, Detroit, MI 48201
There will be a conversation about Northern Emancipation Day celebration and Southern (TEXAS) Juneteenth Celebrations with local historian and bookstore staff. We will highlight the book “Junteenth” by the Texan and highly acclaimed historian Annette Gordon-Reed. We celebrated the release of this book with the Detroit Public Library with City Historian Jamon Jordan last year. Learn more about this book here. For more info, call (313) 832-1155.
SUNDAY, JUNE 19
Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History – 9:00 AM-5:00 PM
Location: 315 E. Warren, Detroit, MI 48202
Stop by the Wright Museum for presentation(s) from the League of Women Voters—these short presentations focus on voting rights issues and information in the General Motors Theatre. Musical performances spanning time from 1860’s until today. Schedule will be available at The Wright. For more info, call (313) 494-5800
Juneteenth Celebrations at Source Booksellers
Location: Source Booksellers, 4240 Cass Ave, Unit 105, Detroit, MI 48201
We will celebrate with yummy sweet treats from James Beard nominated black-owned Kesseler Bakery in Dallas, Texas. We will have some of their baked goods for sale along with the cookbook, “Watermelon and Red Birds: A Cookbook for Juneteenth and Black Celebrations.” This is the first cookbook to celebrate and investigate Juneteenth, from critically acclaimed food writer, Nicole Taylor, who draws on her own experiences observing the holiday over the past ten years. For more info, call (313) 832-1155.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22
Detroit Public Library Author Series Presents: Duke Fakir – 6:00-7:00 PM
Location: Detroit Public Library – Main Library, DVD Room, 5201 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48202In honor of African American Music Appreciation Month, we welcome Duke Fakir from one of the most celebrated R&B groups, of all time. In a remarkable, heartfelt memoir from Abdul ‘Duke’ Fakir, the last surviving member of The Four Tops, ‘Duke’ shares revealing anecdotes from the group’s formation, to their years working with Berry Gordy at the legendary Motown Records and beyond. This is an in-person event, tickets are limited. The event will also be available via Zoom. Books can be purchased in person or online from Spectacles or www.specdet.com. RSVP here. For more info, call (313) 640-7775.
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