Juneteenth is more than just a day, and it's for more than just one demographic. "I think it's great to see how many different folks in the community are really coming together to celebrate Juneteenth," says Jacob Bell, Executive Director and CEO of Family Freedom Center in Duluth. "Juneteenth is not a black holiday... it's important to the black community because our ancestors were the main characters in this story, but when it really comes to what Juneteenth is about, and abolishing slavery overall, that's an American story."
This weekend, all of the Northland is alive with events celebrating Juneteenth. Events are happening across Duluth and on the Iron Range. "We'll have some entertainers... and hopefully make sure we have some education," says Nathaniel Coward from Voices for Ethnic and Multicultural Awareness (VEMA). "We all share this history together, so we should all celebrate it together." An Iron Range Juneteenth Celebration is happening from 11am-3pm in Virginia on June 19th.
In Duluth, the annual Juneteenth celebration will be happening at the Central Hillside Community Center from 1-6pm on Friday the 19th. On Saturday the 20th, celebration continues with the Juneteenth Street dance beginning at 2pm.
The weekend also includes the Honor Our Elders Luncheon at 11am at Washington Center in Duluth on the 19th. "It's just a beautiful celebration to say to our elders, we see you, we hear you, and we want to honor you," says Janet Kennedy, Executive Director of Health Equity Northland. In addition to that, the St. Mark Father's Day Gospel Brunch is happening at 10am on Sunday, June 21st. "We have waffles. Anybody is welcome to come and eat."
Event Schedule and Links for More Information:
Iron Range Juneteenth Celebration - VEMA Community & Family Resource Center
June 19 | 11 a.m.–3 p.m. | Virginia, MN
52nd Annual Juneteenth Celebration - Duluth Branch NAACP
June 19 | 1–6 p.m. | Central Hillside Community Center, Duluth
Honor Our Elders Luncheon - Health Equity Northland
June 19 | 11 a.m. | Washington Center, Duluth
Juneteenth Street Dance - Family Freedom Center
June 20 | 2–7 p.m. | Central Hillside, Duluth
St. Mark Father's Day Gospel Brunch - Health Equity Northland
June 21 | 10 a.m. | Calvary Baptist Church, Duluth
You can hear Community Connection every Tuesday and Thursday at 8am on Northland Morning.
