Bodman Recognizes Juneteenth Thursday, June 19

By: Bodman PLC

06/12/25

Thursday, 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 Thursday.

We have compiled a list of Juneteenth events taking place starting this weekend 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 2025 Events

Detroit

Juneteenth Celebration 2025

• Saturday, June 14: 12 – 3pm
• Oak Grove Ame Church, 19801 Cherrylawn
• Join us at our 4th annual Juneteenth Celebration 12 p.m. – 3 p.m. Activities, vendors, spoken word, dance, food trucks, and much more. The event is for youth and adults!!!
• More details here

Looking Back with Purpose: A Juneteenth Keynote Address

• Tuesday, June 17: 5:30 – 7:30pm
• Andrew’s Hall at Wayne State University, 5105 Anthony Wayne Drive
• Lisa Bratton, Assistant Professor of History at Tuskegee University and a distinguished historian and educator, will offer timely insights rooted in historical truth, cultural memory, and community empowerment.
• More details here

4^th Annual We Gon Be ALRIGHT Juneteenth Community Celebration

• Thursday, June 19: 3 – 7pm
• Corrigan Park, 14723 East Warren Avenue
• Join us at Corrigan Park for an unforgettable afternoon of live performances, mouthwatering food vendors, a vibrant Kid’s Book Fair, and powerful moments of cultural pride.
• More details here

2025 Juneteenth Unity Classic

• Thursday, June 19: 2 – 6pm
• The Corner Ballpark, 1680 Michigan Avenue
• This special event will feature an All-Star Softball Game between two teams, the Detroit Stars Vs. The Detroit Diplomats: The Detroit Diplomats will be comprised of elected officials, Mayors, Congressmen, State Reps, State Senators, and County Commissioners. The 2nd team, the Detroit Stars will be comprised of labor leaders from UAW, Teamsters, Detroit Federation of Teachers, and community leaders from across the state.
• More details here

Juneteenth Mixer

• Thursday, June 19: 5 -11pm
• Hotel Saint Regis Detroit, 3071 West Grand Boulevard
• Join emPOWER for a relaxed evening of connection and conversation at our Juneteenth mixer.
• More details here

Juneteenth Fest 313: A Celebration of Culture

• Thursday, June 19: 2pm – 2 am
• MIX Bricktown, 641 Beaubien St
• Celebrate freedom, unity, and culture with 12 hours of non-stop vibes, live entertainment, contests, and more!
• More details here

Touch the Sky (Juneteenth Celebration!)

• Thursday, June 19: 7pm – 12am
• IO Godfrey Rooftop Lounge, 1401 Michigan Avenue
• Let’s celebrate Juneteenth together with music, food, and good vibes. Get ready to dance under the stars and touch the sky with us!
• More details here

Juneteenth Detroit 5K Run/Walk

• Thursday, June 19
• Glory Super Market, 14100 Woodward
• Join us for a meaningful Juneteenth 5K Run/Walk as we celebrate freedom, unity, and resilience. This empowering event aims to honor the significance of Juneteenth by bringing our community together through a spirited run. Lace up your shoes and stride with purpose as we commemorate the emancipation of enslaved individuals and embrace the spirit of equality and justice.
• More details here

The 7^th Annual Juneteenth Jubilee Detroit

• Friday, June 20: 7 – 11pm
• Hotel Saint Regis, 3071 W Grand Blvd
• Join us for a powerful evening of connection and community with like-minded professionals, business owners, and changemakers. Come dressed to impress and ready to enjoy delicious food, live music, and meaningful conversations.
• More details here

Juneteenth Books, Music & Art Fair 2025

• Saturday, June 21: 12 – 5pm
• The Commons, 7900 Mack Avenue
• Detroit Book City’s 6th Annual Juneteenth Books Music & Arts Fair 2025. This exciting one-day “OUTDOOR” event is for the entire family celebrating “FREEDOM” in the expression of books, music, art & spoken word.
• More details here

Catch The Drip (Juneteenth) Fashion Show

• Saturday, June 21: 3 – 7pm
• Durfee Innovation Society, 2470 Collingwood Street
• Join us at the Durfee Innovation Society for a night of style and culture. Witness the latest trends and designs from talented local designers. From streetwear to high fashion, this event showcases the diversity and creativity of our community.
• More details here

7^th Annual Jubilee – Roots, Rhythm & Flow

• Saturday, June 21: 10am – 4pm
• Robert C. Valade Park, 2670 Atwater Street
• In partnership with the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, we will activate a day of health, wellness, community engagement, and history.
• More details here

Detroit Public Libraries Juneteenth Events

• Celebrate Juneteenth – Parkman Branch
• Juneteenth Celebration – Redford Branch
• Juneteenth Celebration – Knapp Branch
• Juneteenth Celebration – Wilder Branch
• Celebrates Juneteenth – Lincoln Branch
• Juneteenth Crafts – Main Branch
• Juneteenth Jamboree – Edison Branch
• Juneteenth Family Movie Night – Campbell Branch

Metro Detroit

Juneteenth in Southfield

• June 13 – June 25
• The city will sponsor a wide variety of programs and events in recognition of this momentous occasion.
• More details here

Inkster Juneteenth Celebration 2025

• Saturday, June 14: 1 – 4pm
• Leanna Hicks Public Library, 2500 Hamlin Dr, Inkster, MI 48141, USA
• Be a part of the 4th Annual Juneteenth Celebration, proudly presented by the Weslyn A. Bennett Foundation. Enjoy the parade, floats, music, puppet workshop for the first 50 registered children, and food.
• More details here

Madison Heights Juneteenth Celebration

• Saturday, June 14: 12 – 6pm
• Madison Heights Civic Center, 360 W 13 Mile Rd, Madison Heights, MI 48071
• The festival – hosted by Madison Heights Citizens United – will feature free concerts food trucks, vendor booths, educational exhibits, oral storytelling, children’s activities, and more!
• More details here

2025 Juneteenth Celebration in Oak Park

• Thursday, June 19: 8am – 9pm
• Oak Park High School, 13701 Oak Park Blvd, Oak Park
• This year’s activities will include a one-mile walk, music, art, dance, and a purposely curated program that will honor and recognize local students, elected officials and performers.
• More details here

Southfield Juneteenth Bar Crawl 2025: Freedom on the Rocks

• Thursday, June 19: 6 – 11pm
• Celebrate Juneteenth with live music, DJs, food, and party buses across Southfield’s top venues. Freedom on the Rocks.
• More details here

Juneteenth in Royal Oak

• Thursday, June 19: 3 – 7pm
• Royal Oak Farmers Market, 316 E 11 Mile Rd, in Downtown Royal Oak.
• This family-friendly celebration will feature live music, local Black-owned vendors, food trucks, music, and activities for all ages—all in recognition of the day freedom reached the last enslaved Americans in 1865.
• More details here

West Bloomfield Juneteenth Jamboree

• Thursday, June 19: 10am – 2pm
• Recreation Activities Center, 4640 Walnut Lake Rd, West Bloomfield Township, MI 48323
• More details here

Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor NAACP’s 31^st Annual Juneteenth Celebration

• Saturday, June 14: 12 – 6pm
• Wheeler Park, 200 Depot Street
• More details here

Ypsilanti’s Annual Juneteenth Celebration

• June 20 – June 22
• 301 W. Michigan Ave
• The 5th Annual Ypsilanti Juneteenth Celebration weekend returns to downtown on June 20-22, 2025. Expect local vendors and community organizations, live performances, and a weekend of community gathering.
• More details here

Juneteenth Cupcakes at Zingerman’s Bakehouse

• June 18 – June 19
• Zingerman’s Bakehouse, 3711 Plaza Dr
• Juneteenth Cupcakes from Zingerman’s Bakehouse (June 18-19): Zingerman’s Bakehouse will be offering red velvet cupcakes topped with tangy cream cheese icing and a red fondant heart, honoring the symbolism of the color for Juneteenth and commemorating the history and culinary traditions of enslaved Africans and African Americans and their freedom from bondage – available for $3.99 each.
• More details here

Grand Rapids

Justice 4 All Juneteenth Jam

• Thursday, June 19: 4 – 8pm
• Calder Plaza, 320 Ottawa Ave NW
• This event is FREE to the public and will be a day to celebrate black art, entertainment, culture, and experience!
• More details here

Juneteenth Afro Gaga Parade and Celebration

• Thursday, June 19: 12 – 7pm
• 1635 Willard Ave SE
• Get ready for a day of unity, celebration, entertainment, and fun, on Thursday, June 19! The West Michigan Jewels of Africa LLC (WMJOA LLC) will be putting on the 2025 Afro Gaga Parade and Celebration in honor of Juneteenth. The procession features Pan-African displays of love, inspiration and pride for the people.
• More details here

Our Ancestors’ Wildest Dreams Juneteenth Scholarship Gala

• Thursday, June 19: 6 – 9pm
• Grand Rapids Art Museum, 101 Monroe Center Street Northwest
• This event honors our 2025 scholarship recipients, whose achievements embody the hopes of generations past and promises of those to come.
• More details here