Bodman Recognizes Juneteenth Next Monday, June 19

By: Bodman PLC

06/16/23

Monday, June 19, is Juneteenth, which commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. In January 1863, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, which abolished slavery. However, it took more than 2.5 years – until June 19, 1865 – for the last remaining enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas to learn of their freedom.

In 2021, President Biden signed into law legislation establishing Juneteenth as a national holiday. In recognition of the holiday, all Bodman offices will be closed on Monday.

We have compiled a list of Juneteenth events taking place in Detroit, metro Detroit, Ann Arbor, and Grand Rapids, A copy of the list appears below. We encourage everyone to take advantage of some of these events to celebrate and learn more about this national holiday.

Juneteenth 2023 Events

Detroit

Metro Detroit Black Business Alliance – Juneteenth Freedom Fest Weekend

• Friday, June 16: Beats & BBQ Block Party at Batch Brewing Company
• Saturday, June 17: Juneteenth Jubilee Stroll on Livernois Avenue of Fashion
• Sunday, June 18: Freedom Fest at Eastern Market Shed 5
• More details here

Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History – Juneteenth Jubilee Celebration

• Monday, June 19 – 12-6pm
• This event celebrates the nation’s newest federal holiday and honors African American history, culture and achievements. From captivating exhibitions and educational programming to live performances, storytelling, pony rides, and hustle dance classes, the museum’s Juneteenth Jubilee Celebration promises an immersive experience for visitors of all ages and backgrounds.
• More details here

Detroit Historical Society – Detroit Gives Black Juneteenth Celebration

• Monday, June 19 – 3-7pm
• Come experience the new exhibitionGiving Back: The Soul of Philanthropy and help tell Detroit’s story of giving as we honor eight local philanthropists. On Juneteenth, The Soul of Philanthropy Michigan, in partnership with Detroit Historical Society and Urban Arts Orchestra, invites the entire family out to see Black giving in its many forms in an afternoon of visual and performance art.
• More details here

Metro Detroit

Madison Heights – 3^rd Annual Juneteenth Celebration

• Saturday, June 17 – 12-6pm at Civic Center Park
• This popular festival features free concerts (headlined this year by the Smoke Jones Detroit Band), food trucks, vendors, educational exhibits, children’s activities and more!
• More details here

Farmington Community Library – Juneteenth: History Comes Alive!

• Monday, June 19 – 2-3pm
• Farmington Community Library, 32737 W. 12 Mile Rd.
• We welcome back Mr. Anthony Lucas and Ms. Ernestine Worford, celebrated The Henry Ford performers, to make history come alive. Learn about the significance of Juneteenth and join in on the interactive presentation.
• More details here

Emagine Royal Oak – Juneteenth Film Festival

• June 2-29 – Emagine Royal Oak, 200 N. Main St.
• The Juneteenth Film Festival is to honor Black actors/actresses, writers, directors and filmmakers through films that present compelling moral stories and educate on racism and Black history. The film festival showcases a different set of films each week.  The theme for this year features films centered around music. The festival will take place in Michigan at Emagine Royal Oak.  Tickets are only $5 and all proceeds will go to the United Negro College Fund (UNCF).
• More details here

City of Southfield – Juneteenth Jubilee

• Saturday, June 17 – 4-9pm
• Southfield Parks and Recreation, 26000 Evergreen Rd.
• Bring your lawn chairs and dancing shoes as performances will take place all afternoon, including Spoken Word hosted by Joel Fluent Greene, performances by the Impulse Dancers and Levey Marching Band, as well as a Step Show. There will be food trucks and a Black Vendor Marketplace to support local artisans and small businesses. Enjoy music with DJ Deezy D, yard games and Hustle time before the outdoor concert with WeeBone Entertainment begins at 7pm.
• More details here

West Bloomfield – 3^rd Annual Juneteenth in the WB

• Saturday, June 17 – 10am-2pm
• All are welcome to celebrate our community’s diversity and strength and honor the day the final enslaved people were emancipated in June 1865. Juneteenth in the WB celebrates the countless contributions of African Americans to our nation and our community.
• More details here

Ann Arbor

African American Cultural and Historical Museum of Washtenaw County – Juneteenth Journey to Freedom Underground Railroad Bus Tour

• Saturday, June 17 – 2-5pm
• Sunday, August 13 – 2-5pm
• The Underground Railroad was a network of secret routes and systems guiding self-emancipated African Americans to liberty. Two essential routes to Detroit and ultimate safety in Canada crossed in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti. This summer discover the role Washtenaw County played and hear some powerful stories about places you pass by every day.
• More details here

Ann Arbor NAACP – 29^th Annual Juneteenth Celebration & Community Unity Walk

• Saturday, June 17
• Community Unity Walk – 10am at Fuller Park, 1519 Fuller Rd.
• Juneteenth Celebration – 12-6pm at Wheeler Park, 200 Depot St.
• More details here

The Ark – A Night with Mama Sol

• Monday, June 19 – 7-8:30pm at The Ark, 316 S. Main St.
• This Juneteenth, you are invited to an evening of conversation, poetry, music, and visioning as we welcome hip-hop and spoken word artist, Mama Sol.
• Registration is free but required
• More details here

Ypsilanti – Juneteenth Celebration

• South Huron Parking Lot, Ypsilanti
• Friday, June 16 – 6-9pm: Enjoy a Divine 9 Community Mixer. Come out and hang out and learn more about these amazing organizations.
• Saturday, June 17 – 11am: Hustle Lessons from DWE Sherry Hawkins. Programming begins at noon, with many artistry and bands the entire day. Headlining acts start at 4PM-9 PM.
• Sunday, June 18 – 1pm: Juneteenth Sunday Service Begins at 1 PM, followed by Gospel and Giggles Comedy Hour from 2 PM – 4 PM. At 4 PM, Gospel Greats from all throughout Michigan will take the stage with their high praise! Don’t miss this amazing Concert.
• More details here

Grand Rapids

Justice 4 All Juneteenth Jam

• Saturday, June 17 – 1-5pm
• Rosa Parks Circle, 135 Monroe Center and Monroe Ave.
• Free
• Activities include:
  • Live music by local artists and DJs
  • Community speakers
  • Black-owned food vendors
  • Black-owned business vendors
  • Graffiti art showcase
  • Information booth
• More details here

Our Ancestors’ Wildest Dreams Juneteenth Celebration

• Friday, June 16 – 6-9pm
• Grand Rapids Center for Community Transformation – 1530 Madison Ave SE
• This event is presented by Fifth Third Bank’s African American Business Resource Group along with affinity groups from various other Grand Rapids-area organizations. The event is designed to be an opportunity to network with others in the Grand Rapids community and to share awareness around the importance of Juneteenth.
• Tickets are $40 and available here

Because They Did, We Can – A Juneteenth Celebration

• Monday, June 19 – 6-8pm
• Grand Rapids Public Library, 111 Library Street
• Join the West Michigan Chapter of the National Forum for Black Public Administrators (NFBPA) and the Grand Rapids Public Library for a Juneteenth celebration!Author Graci Harkema will discuss her book Rising: From a Mud Hut to the Boardroom and Back Again. After the book discussion, Preston Sain of Black Wallstreet Grand Rapids and Andre’ Dandridge, Director of the NIA Center will join the stage for a discussion on economic development and building Black wealth. The discussion and panel will be moderated by entrepreneur and Grand Rapids City Commissioner, Lisa Knight.The evening will include a dance performance by Xpressions of Praise with Laassah Taylor-Marshall, food and beverage samplings from Mosby’s Popcorn, Just Enjoy Cookies, and Malamiah Juice. We will also have resources available from Grand Rapids African American Museum and Archives along with the NIA Center.More details here