Juneteenth 2021
Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. Dating back to 1865, it was on June 19th that the Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas, with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free (two and a half years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation). The Emancipation Proclamation had little impact on the Texans due to the minimal number of Union troops to enforce the new Executive Order; but with the surrender of General Lee in April of 1865, and the arrival of General Granger’s regiment, the forces were finally strong enough to influence and overcome the resistance.
These events are organized by the Official Juneteenth Coalition of Greater New Haven and Artsucation Academy Network.
Sponsored by the Mayor's Neighborhood Vitality Grant Program.
Juneteenth Opening Ceremony, Elder Honoring, and Mantle Award
With the Official Juneteenth Coalition of Greater New Haven
Messages by Mayor Justin Elicker and Elder Byron Breland, and performances by Dr. Karima Robinson as Ida B. Wells, Keepers of the Culture Performing Arts Company, singer Lucitta Odyce Adger, artist/poet Shaunda Holloway, and and singers Pamela Campbell and son, Gabriel Abdul-Kareem.
Juneteenth Children & Family Programming
With the Official Juneteenth Coalition of Greater New Haven
Storytelling by New Haven Educators and a cooking class by Randi McCray, Founder of Connecticut Urban Technology and the Urban Collective.
Juneteenth Day: "Visions of Our Future" Virtual Performances
With the Official Juneteenth Coalition of Greater New Haven
M'Bosse Dance Company of Senegal and Keepers of the Culture Performing Arts Company with music by Elder Brian Jarawa Gray, Antwain Johnson, Jr. as Fred Hampton, and the Rahsaan Langley Project..
Free to Be Open Studios Classes
Hosted by Artsucation Academy Network on Zoom
Hosted by Artsucation Academy Network, stretch, drum, and dance your way through a day of free exercise classes!