Juneteenth 2023: Here's where to celebrate in metro Detroit
Metro Detroit is gearing up for upcoming gatherings to commemorate the 158th anniversary of Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day. This annual holiday celebrates equal rights and the end of slavery in the United States. On June 19, 1865, federal troops freed remaining slaves in Galveston, Texas, enforcing the Emancipation Proclamation more than two years after it was issued. It was months after the Confederacy's surrender.
The day was officially designated as a federal holiday on June 17, 2021, when President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law.
Juneteenth events throughout southeast Michigan will include live music, films, food and opportunities to support Black-owned businesses and acknowledge what is considered the longest-running African American holiday.
Here is a list of upcoming events to acknowledge and celebrate the holiday. Email bhightower@freepress.com to add your event to the list.
Through June 20: Wayne State University will host a series of campus events to celebrate Juneteenth. The series will include an art exhibition; panel discussions; keynote address by University of North Carolina Professor Ronald Williams II, a noted expert in African American studies, and a performance by neo-classical pianist BLKBOK at the Willis Show Bar, 7:30 p.m. June 20. More at wayne.edu.
Through June 30: The Detroit Public Library will offer a wide range of programs from storytelling, craft-making, spoken word performances, music, a parade and more to celebrate Juneteenth at all of its locations in Detroit. More at detroitpubliclibrary.org.
Through June 29: Emagine Entertainment will host a Juneteenth Film Festival to honor Black actors/actresses, writers, directors and filmmakers in films that present compelling stories and educational content on racism and Black history at Emagine Royal Oak. Net proceeds will benefit the United Negro College Fund. $5.
June 14: The Downtown Detroit Partnership will feature a free outdoor movie screening of "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" as part of DDP’s Movie Nights in the D series. Prior to the movie there will be specially themed activities courtesy of the N’Namdi Center including African drum ciphers, African dance and poetry readings from Nandi Comer, the Poet Laureate of Michigan. 6 p.m. at Campus Martius Park in Detroit. Movie starts at 7 p.m.
More: Michigan names first state poet laureate since 1950s
June 14: Oakland County will host its first Juneteenth celebration honoring the memory of Elizabeth Denison Forth, the first Black landowner in Oakland County. She purchased 48 acres of land in Pontiac in 1825. The celebration will include musical performances, food trucks, giveaways and more. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the south entrance lawn of the Oakland County Circuit Court Building, 1200 N. Telegraph in Pontiac.
June 16: Join the Sterling Heights African American Coalition for their second annual Juneteenth Celebration with live music, entertainment, food trucks, vendors and family-friendly fun. 5:30-9 p.m. at Dodge Park Farmers Market Pavilion. Free admission.
June 16: Juneteenth Day-Long Event: Reimaging the Road to Black Power is a partnership with Michigan United's African American Leadership Council and partner organizations to highlight issues impacting the Black community. Actor and writer Hill Harper will be the keynote speaker. State Sen. Erika Geiss, Amos O'Neal, Dr. Ijeoma Opara, Dr. Robin Moore, Rev Esi Collins and others will also be in attendance. Topics will include health disparities in the Black community, calls to restore Good Time credits, police accountability, community investment, education, and the fight for transformative and voter justice. There will also be a screening of the documentary, 'Lowndes County and the Road to Black Power." Lunch and breakfast will be provided. The event starts at 9 a.m. at Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church, 29066 Eton in Westland.
June 16-18: Ypsilanti's Annual Juneteenth Celebration: Enjoy live music, vendors, grant opportunities, a comedy show and a gospel concert in the parking lot behind Puffer Red's at 107 Ferris in Ypsilanti.
June 17: Madison Heights Juneteenth Food Truck Rally will feature African American-owned food trucks, live music, vendors, educational exhibits, petting zoo and pony rides, a 25-foot climbing tower, bounce houses and more. Noon to 6 p.m. at Civic Center Park, 360 W. 13 Mile in Madison Heights. Free admission and free parking.
June 17: Four-time Grammy winning pianist Robert Glasper makes a Detroit debut with an array of guests to celebrate Juneteenth at the Russell Industrial Center, 1600 Clay in Detroit at 9 p.m. Purchase $40 tickets at meanredproductions.
June 17: Juneteenth Jubilee: Bring lawn chairs and enjoy performances that include spoken word hosted by Joel Fluent Greene, a performance by the Impulse Dancers and the Levey Marching Band and a Step Show featuring the Southfield Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and the Tau Kapp Kappa Chapter of Omega Psi Phi at this event hosted by Southfield Parks and Recreation. The event will include food trucks, yard games, a marketplace with more than 30 Black vendors, a beer and wine tent for attendees 21 and over, music by DJ Deezy D and the headliner will be WeeBone Entertainment, closing the night with a two-hour concert that begins at 7 p.m. The celebration will be 4-9 p.m. on Southfield's Municipal Campus front lawn.
June 17: Mayor's Juneteenth Walk: Join Southfield's Mayor Dr. Kenson Siver from 10-11:30 a.m. beginning at the Southfield Municipal Campus front circle as he leads participants on a 2.5-mile walk to Red Pole Park and back to City Hall, where he will discuss Southfield history and the achievements of African Americans in Southfield.
June 17: Juneteenth Community Celebration at Canton Township's annual Liberty Fest will include crafts and a reading corner that features children's books by African American authors. There will also be a Black History 101 Mobile Museum from 1-6 p.m.; and a 2.5 Block Walk at 2:30 p.m. to commemorate the 2.5 years Texas slaves waited for their freedom. A stage program is scheduled to start at 3 p.m., led by Mistress of Ceremonies Pamela Osborne, a WDIV-TV (Channel 4) anchor, along with presentations by Jack and Jill of America Incorporated — Ypsilanti Chapter. Music performances will start at 4 p.m.; hustle demonstrations from 7-8 p.m., and performances by C3 and the Third Generation Band from 8-10 p.m. at the Amphitheater Stage at Heritage Park in Canton.
June 17: Juneteenth Jubilee Stroll on the Livernois Historic Avenue of Fashion (between 6 and 8 Mile roads) will include discounts, entertainment, an HBCU tailgate with a Greek stroll off competition, a mural reveal and more. Each registered patron will receive a free tote bag and map card to navigate the stroll. The first 50 participants to complete the stroll will be eligible for a prize. Check-in at 19474 Livernois in Detroit. Noon to 6 p.m.
June 17: Juneteenth Freedom Day Event The City of Pontiac in partnership with Amazon and Genisys Credit Union will host this first annual event with live music, youth activities, food, a parade ((4-5 p.m.) and fireworks. Activities will be held near the intersection of Bagley and Saginaw in downtown Pontiac. 12-10 p.m. Free.
June 17: 50 Years of Rap, Rhythm & Rhymes: Homage To Black Excellence will celebrate Juneteenth weekend with a tribute to revolutionary and innovative influence that African Americans have had on rap, poetry and R&B. 8-10 p.m. at Dearborn City Hall Artspace at 13615 Michigan Avenue in Dearborn. $15.
June 17: Juneteenth Heritage Day is hosted by Wayne County Parks in partnership with the Huron-Clinton Metroparks for an afternoon of community celebration, music and arts. 12-4 p.m. at Nankin Mills Park, 33275 Edward Hines Drive in Westland. Free.
June 17: Juneteenth Community Celebration: There will be vendors, entertainment, food and fun at this event. 12-4 p.m. at Historical Park, 11120 Hunt in Romulus. 12-4 p.m.
June 17: Eastside Juneteenth Family Fun Fest: This free family festival will have food, music, dancing, games, art, healing and resources that include hustle classes, bike tune ups, painting classes, Pewabic Pottery clay activities, petting zoo, clown performances, bounce houses, train rides, community and health resources, 15-minute massages and more. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at The Stoudamire, 4401 Conner in Detroit. Free.
June 18: Juneteenth Freedom Fest is a partnership with the City of Detroit, Detroit Branch NAACP, Juneteenth Jubilee, Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, Metro Detroit Black Business Alliance, Detroit Public Schools Community District, Detroit Means Business, Black Leaders Detroit, and the Eastern Market Development Corporation. This fest will feature live entertainment, Black business vendors, food trucks, activities for kids and more. 12-6 p.m. at Eastern Market, 2934 Russell in Detroit.
June 18: Countdown to Juneteenth Celebration is an event that celebrates Black excellence and history while providing a fun and engaging experience. There will be food, beer from local breweries, live music by Dj Asset, an art showcase, and vendors. Attendees can also participate in painting classes with Painting with a Twist. 8-12 pm. at the Dearborn Historical Museum Commandant's Quarters at 915 S. Brady in Dearborn. $35 at the door, $30 in advance. Painting with a Twist is $20.
June 19: Juneteenth Jubilee and Member Appreciation Day at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History: There will be food trucks, live performances, storytelling, pony rides, hustle lessons and more. Noon to 6 p.m. at 315 E. Warren in Detroit.
June 19: Oakland County Parks and Recreation Free Entry Day in honor or Juneteenth offers visitors a chance to enjoy free daily park entry with access to trails, dog parks, playgrounds, beaches at Addison Oaks County Park, Groveland Oaks County Park, Highland Oaks County Park, Independence Oaks County Parks, Lyon Oaks County Parks and Lyon Oaks Dog Park, Orion Oaks County Park, Orion Oaks Dog Park, Red Oaks Dog Park and Rose Oaks County Park.
June 19: Juneteenth on the Cut, hosted by the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy will feature live music, DJ sets, a dance workshop, food, vendors and an outdoor premiere of an art exhibit, entitled "Black Bottom Street View," honoring Detroit's historic Black Bottom neighborhood. The exhibit will be on display through July 16 daily from 6 a.m.-10 p.m. Juneteenth on the Cut runs 2-6 p.m. at the Campbell Terrace located along the Dequindre Cut Greenway near the Lafayette and St. Aubin entrance in Detroit. Free.
June 19: Juneteenth Celebration: This family-friendly celebration hosted by the City of Royal Oak will have a freedom walk, games, raffles, music, food and more at Centennial Commons Park at 221 E. 3rd Street in Royal Oak. 3-8 p.m.
June 19: Juneteenth Celebration: This first annual event will have live music, food trucks and more. There will be special presentations by Joel Rutherford, Hill Harper, State Rep. McKinney and a Governor's resolution presentation. 5-8 p.m. at Warren City Square in Warren.
June 19: Farmington Area Juneteenth Celebration will have music, food trucks, a bounce house, yoga with African drummers, aerobics, jazz piano, health checks and more. 12-4 p.m. at Nardin Park United Methodist Church at 29887 W. 11 Mile in Farmington Hills.
June 21: Juneteenth Jazz and Blues Concert is a free outdoor concert sponsored by The Friends of the Southfield Public Library. The concert will feature African American artist Gwen Pennyman-Hemphill. 6-8:30 p.m. at the Southfield Public Library.
June 22: The Detroit Branch NAACP will host a Freedom Summit at the northwest campus of Wayne County Community College District, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with discussions surrounding voter mobilization, registration, protection, the civil rights movement, labor and other topics.
June 23: The Detroit Branch NAACP will have a special ceremony to unveil a permanent, commemorative statue of Martin Luther King Jr. in collaboration with the City of Detroit. The statue will be unveiled in Hart Plaza at 10 a.m.
June 24: Register for the Detroit Branch NAACP's 60th Commemorative Freedom Walk down Woodward Avenue in Detroit. The walk will commemorate 1963's "Walk to Freedom" led by Martin Luther King Jr., who delivered an early version of his "I Have a Dream" speech in Detroit after the march. The walk begins at 10 a.m. at Woodward Avenue and Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. proceeding south along Woodward towards Hart Plaza. A freedom walk rally takes place at noon.
June 25: The Detroit Branch NAACP's 68th Annual Fight for Freedom Fund Dinner, featuring Georgia Sen. Raphael Warnock as the keynote speaker, will take place at 5 p.m. at Huntington Place, 1 Washington Blvd. in Detroit. Register at detroitnaacp.org.
Brendel Hightower is an assistant editor at the Detroit Free Press. Contact her at bhightower@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Juneteenth 2023: Here's where to celebrate in metro Detroit
