The City of Detroit will kick off Juneteenth 2020 with a week-long series of thought-provoking virtual conversations celebrating Black culture and educating viewers on important issues impacting the Black community. Topics will empower viewers to engage in most relevant discussions aimed to offer healing and empowerment to the black community.
The weeklong celebration will end next Friday with a Freedom Rally at Spirit Plaza and the unveiling of an uplifting message painted along a block-long span of Woodward Avenue leading to Spirit Plaza.
“Juneteenth is about more than a celebration of the day many African Americans first learned of the end of slavery; it’s an opportunity to start a needed dialogue to increase understanding and drive real change,” said Mayor Mike Duggan. “Throughout our nations’ history, laws and discriminatory policies were put in place and have done untold harm to people of color over generations. This year’s Juneteenth celebration comes at the right time for all of us to reflect and be reminded of the change that still needs to take place.”
All conversations will be live-streamed from the City of Detroit’s Facebook page and include Detroit’s subject experts. The schedule is as followed:
Monday, June 15th, 6PM – Juneteenth Kickoff Event – A curated discussion with Detroit Historian Jamon Jordan and City of Detroit Director of the Civil Rights, Inclusion & Opportunity, Charity Dean
Tuesday, June 16th, 6PM – Black Mental Health Matters – Staying sane during two pandemics, COVID-19 and Racism, Q&A with Licensed Therapist Charnell Dortch
Tuesday, June 16th, 7:30PM – Get fit with a live workout with certified fitness instructor Dr. Fitt Britt
Wednesday, June 17th, 6PM – Black Education Matters – A conversation on the importance of education and equity in the black community, Kristen Howard, DPSCD, Jennifer Smith, Closing The Gap Detroit, Erik Dean, Dean of Students at Cornerstone’s Washington-Parks Academy
Wednesday, June 17th, 7:30PM – Growing the Black Dollar – Building generational wealth in the Black community, Wardell Littles, Financial Advisor, Ty Thorpe, Financial Advisor, Shannon Smith, Banker, Portia Powell, Banker
Thursday, June 18th, 6PM – Criminal Justice Reform – Fixing a broken system, Nicole Huddleston, Detroit Justice Center, Boyd White, Attorney, Richard Mack, Attorney
Thursday June 18th, 7:30PM– Black Business Matters- Charles Nolan, Owner of Cutters Bar & Grill and Regina Gaines, Owner of House Pur Vin, facilitated by James Feagin, Places +PEOPLE
Friday, June 19th, 10 am – Juneteenth Freedom Rally and Street Art Unveiling at Spirit Plaza
Friday, June 19th, 2pm – Special video presentation
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