“Whether it’s the freedom to express, freedom to live, freedom to earn, freedom to thrive, freedom to learn, whatever it is, I want to make sure that I’m a part of these spaces and opening doors.”
Television commentator Angela Rye spoke no truer words than these when expressing what it means to be truly free.
Juneteenth, Sunday, June 19, is a time to reflect on what it means to cherish freedom today while honoring space for a better tomorrow, especially as a Black person in America.
Also known as “Freedom Day,” the nationally-recognized holiday dates back to June 19, 1865, which is the day when enslaved Blacks in Texas finally received word of their freedom from bondage. The state (the last and most remote of the Confederate States) only informed the enslaved a year and a half after Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation.
“When I think about Juneteenth there is something about it,” Michelle Sourie Robinson, president and CEO of the Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council (MMSDC), a non-profit organization, told the Michigan Chronicle previously. “I almost think there is an irony with it that it is a celebration of freedom or liberation, but when you look at the history of it … it’s not a celebration of the Emancipation Proclamation itself or even ratification of it.”
Last year an official resolution through the Detroit City Council commemorated Juneteenth as an annual celebration of Black economic liberation.
“Many African Americans have worked and continue to work to build wealth within the Black community,” the resolution read. “The Detroit City Council recognizes Juneteenth, June 19, as an annual celebration of the past, present and future of Black economic liberation and those who work towards that liberation.”
And on the national level President Joe Biden last year signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, establishing June 19 as a federal holiday. Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed a proclamation declaring June 19 as Juneteenth Celebration Day in Michigan.
Reflecting on Juneteenth, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson shared past reflections on opportunities to advance racial justice in the state and nation.
“Juneteenth celebrates the freedom of Black Americans and the dignity of all Americans by marking the date our country ended a horrific, inhumane chapter in our history,” said Benson. “As Secretary of State, I remain committed to increasing racial equity and access in our public services, our elections and our democracy to build a more just society for all.”
Native Detroiter Daija Butler, a local grassroots organizer, told the Michigan Chronicle that the day is a celebration for the emancipation of Black lives and attending different Black-centric events is an important aspect of that.
“It definitely establishes a sense of pride — not only for me … as someone who identifies as Black,” she said.
With Juneteenth almost around the corner, many events are happening around the city, community and nation.
Here are some Juneteenth happenings in and around Detroit:
Issa Jubilee
- Juneteenth Jubilee Detroit (JJD) will have a Juneteenth weekend with events (June 17-19) promoting artistic expression and small businesses. JJD is a volunteer-based committee devoted to developing resources, programming and events to address educational equity and economic sustainability for the Detroit community. In 2021, over 4,000 people attended the inaugural Juneteenth Jubilee Stroll, which included a unique shopping day on the Historic Avenue of Fashion (Livernois). This year, JJD will launch Juneteenth Freedom Weekend with free events for registered participants — donations are welcome.
- Friday, June 17, in partnership with Eastern Market Brewing Company and Brewz Brothaz, JJD will showcase local visual and musical artists at its Rhythm and Art Block Party featuring food trucks, a live podcast and more.
- Saturday, June 18, is the second annual Juneteenth Jubilee Stroll on the Livernois Historic Avenue of Fashion with 40-plus businesses, a live podcast, a kid’s village with activities and programming, a mainstage with local entertainers, a health and wellness fair to provide screenings and resources around physical and mental health, a marketplace for local vendors and an artists’ hub.
- Sunday, June 19th, Juneteenth Jubilee Detroit will partner with The City of Detroit, Metro Detroit Black Business Alliance, Detroit Branch NAACP, Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, Detroit Means Business and Eastern Market Development Corporation for the Freedom Festival. The festival will include a plethora of activities as well as a performance by Detroit’s Slum Village. For more information, find Juneteenth Jubilee Detroit (JJD) on Facebook.
The “Wright” Touch
- Stream the Wright Museum’s Juneteenth Playlist on Spotify and enjoy it free of charge.
- Watch the new BlkFreedom Film, “We the People” to debut on Saturday, June 18. BlkFreedom, a coalition of Black museums and institutions nationwide, continues the tradition of exploring freedom, justice and democracy with its new film.
- Celebrate the Juneteenth Jubilee Weekend Saturday, Jun 18 – Sunday, Jun 19 at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, 315 E Warren Ave., in Detroit. For more information or to purchase a membership, individuals can visit www.thewright.org.
Get Free(dom) Here
- Juneteenth Freedom Weekend-Freedom Fest is set from noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday, June 19, at Eastern Market Shed 5, Eastern Market. The City of Detroit, Metro Detroit Black Business Alliance, Detroit Branch NAACP, Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, Juneteenth Jubilee, Detroit Means Business and Eastern Market Development Corporation have partnered to celebrate Juneteenth in Detroit. Save the date and visit juneteenthdetroit.com to learn more.
- The D Loft Cafe is bringing food, fun and family together for a celebration of unity during a Juneteenth Father’s Day Celebration from noon to 8 p.m. on Sunday, June 19, at Marygrove College. From music to a vendor marketplace, from food trucks to family activities, a lot of fun is anticipated. Vendor/food truck slots are available. For more information email thedloft@gmail.com or call 313-879-0750.
Keep it CRIO
A week of events to uplift black culture, support black businesses and share stories of triumph during the ongoing fight for freedom through the City of Detroit Civil Rights, Inclusion and Opportunity Department, and Office of Arts, Culture and Entrepreneurship (ACE) are here.
- On June 16-19 attend a Black Business Crawl presented by the Metro Detroit Black Business Alliance. For more information visit https://mdbba.com/.
- At 7 a.m. on June 19 Dr. Hubert Massey will join students and employees from CRIO’s partner General Motors to perform the annual repainting of the “Power to the People” Mural on Lower Woodward. The street will be closed from 7 a.m. Saturday overnight to Sunday.
- On the same day at 2 p.m., Detroit ACE will join the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, TCF Center and Cranbrook Art Museum to announce The Healing Wall, a memorial that will comprise memory packets that residents across the region can make at stations along the Dequindre Cut. Artist Sonya Clark, whose vision led to the memorial, will explain how it works while visiting making stations along with the Cut. Visit https://detroitriverfront.org/thehealingmemorial for information.
Find out more about CRIO events at detroitmi.gov or by calling (313) 224-4950 or emailing crio@detroitmi.gov.