Mayor Greenberg announces Juneteenth Jubilee Celebration’s expanded lineup of events for 2023 16-member commission and community partners host educational and entertaining citywide activities to commemorate national holiday and its historical significance

Mayor Craig Greenberg this week joined members of the Juneteenth Jubilee Celebration Commission and representatives from Metro Council, Kentucky Center for African American Heritage (KCAAH) and Lean Into Louisville to announce a variety of citywide events planned next month to highlight the historical significance of Juneteenth.

With even more wide-ranging things to see and do, this year’s expanded nine-day celebration showcases culture and entertainment from June 10-19. Many of the citywide events will be free and open to the public.

Juneteenth is the oldest known holiday commemorating the final communication of the abolition of slavery in the United States. Observed every year on June 19, the holiday originated in Galveston, Texas, in 1865, when soldiers gave residents notice of the end of slavery, nearly two years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. The 16-member Juneteenth Jubilee Commission is the official city commission that helps to organize events celebrating Juneteenth’s historical significance in Louisville.

“Juneteenth reminds all of us to learn, reflect and continue building a more equitable future for our city,” said Mayor Greenberg. “I want to thank our Juneteenth Jubilee Commission, the Office of Equity, Louisville Metro Council and our community partners for their tireless work in educating our city and commemorating this pivotal moment in America’s history.”

The commission includes representatives from the Metro Council, the business community, arts, educational and faith institutions, and others. Members of the commission have worked for months on this year’s continuing theme, “Our Story, America’s Glory.”

“By embracing the meaning of Juneteenth, it forces all of us to recognize racial justice challenges both locally and nationally,” said Juneteenth Jubilee Commission Chair Wanda Mitchell-Smith. “Juneteenth is not a feel-good story, but its significance needs to be honored and recognized. I’m grateful that our commissioners have carefully planned several activities that jumpstart a much-needed dialogue about civil rights, social freedom and equality as well as reaffirm the value of Black lives.”

This year, there are many new activities that will commemorate Juneteenth. One of the additions is “Amplify Songs of Justice,” a performance of civil rights songs by composer Jorell Williams and lyrics by Juneteenth Jubilee Commissioner and Councilwoman Paula McCraney, D-7. These works will premiere at 7 p.m. June 10 by local community college students and church choirs at the Kentucky Opera Center for Cultural Health, 708 Magazine St. Admission is free, but tickets will be required. Last year, McCraney played an integral role in helping to expand the city’s Juneteenth celebration.

“Juneteenth is a time for us to celebrate and recall the history of the early struggle for freedom and the emancipation from slavery,” McCraney said. “This rich history should not be ignored or diminished. We must embrace our past, learn from our past, and heal and become stronger as a nation because of our past.”

Another addition is Lean into Louisville’s luncheon, which will be at 11:30 a.m. June 14 at The Palm Room, 1821 W. Jefferson St. Office of Equity Director Joi McAtee will host the event, featuring guest speaker Jermaine Fowler, author of “The Humanity Archive: Recovering the Soul of Black History from a Whitewashed American Myth.” Born in Louisville, Fowler is also the host of the top-rated history podcast, The Humanity Archive, which has been praised as a must-listen by Vanity Fair. The cost to attend the luncheon is $25 per person.

“Our luncheon will highlight some of the key issues in the Black community, reflecting on our past and how we can honor our ancestors by working in unity to create pathways for a better future,” said McAtee, who oversees Lean Into Louisville. “Lean Into Louisville’s vision aligns with the principles of Juneteenth by finding pride in our heritage and discussing the rich history and experience of Black people in our city.”

The celebration’s lineup also showcases the Juneteenth Weekend Heritage Experience, featuring “The Fannie Lou Hamer Story” at 7 p.m. June 17 at the Kentucky Center for African American Heritage, 1701 W. Muhammad Ali Boulevard. Performed by Mzuri Moyo Aimbaye, the award-winning 90-minute one-woman stage play is riveting storytelling, celebrating an unsung hero who became a catalyst for the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, said KCAAH Executive Director Aukram Burton.

“When we think about Juneteenth, it must be remembered as a moment of clarity about our struggles and how far we have come. That’s why the Heritage Center is proud to showcase a play about the life of voting rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer,” Burton said. “Now is the time to truly examine the challenges we face as Black voters, and Fannie Lou Hamer was a powerful and passionate voice that needs to resonate, even today.”

The weekend experience includes a Father’s Day and Juneteenth Jazz Brunch, featuring Ansyn Banks Legacy Quintet with guest vocalist Karen Chavis and host Marjorie Marshall at 2 p.m. June 18. Tickets are $40 and can be purchased at Eventbrite.com or kcaah.org.

On Juneteenth, the city’s events will be capped off with “Let’s Talk | Bridging the Divide: Load in Nine Times: United States Colored Troops, An Evening with former Kentucky Poet Laureate Frank X Walker” at 6 p.m. June 19 at the Frazier History Museum, 829 W. Main St. The Danville, Ky., native will debut a collection of poems centered on African Americans in Kentucky during the Civil War. Walker will talk about photos and archival documents that provided inspiration for the overall collection. He will also perform some of his poetry. The event is free, but registration is required.

Here’s a larger look at events planned by the Juneteenth Commission:

• June 10, 7 p.m.: Kentucky Opera’s “Amplify Songs of Justice”: Kentucky Opera commissioned civil rights songs from composer Jorell Williams, with lyrics by Juneteenth Jubilee Celebration Commissioner Paula McCraney. Free admission but tickets required.
•  June 11, 5 p.m.: Jazz Excursion on the Belle of Louisville: Featuring jazz saxophonist Dee Lucas. Boarding begins at 4:30 p.m. in partnership with Bread Entertainment. Tickets are $65 and can be purchased at Eventbrite.com.
• June 12, 7:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.: Simmons College of Kentucky Golf Classic: The eighth annual Simmons College of Kentucky Golf Classic will be held at the Lake Forest Country Club, 14000 Landmark Drive. A breakfast buffet and boxed lunch for the 7:30 a.m. shotgun and a boxed lunch and dinner buffet for the 12:30 p.m. shotgun will be served. Click here for more information.
• June 12-16: Arts Camp at the Waterfront: Louisville Visual Art and Waterfront Park are hosting a day camp for youth ages 7-12. Campers will be introduced to the works and history of Ed Hamilton, Muhammad Ali, the Underground Railroad and more, then create their own artworks to express themselves and their newfound knowledge; in the afternoons, campers will explore Waterfront Park for fun camp activities. This scholarship-based, cost-free camp is available to children from the Zones of Hope. For more information, visit louisvillevisualart.org/outreach-camps..
• June 13, 6:35 p.m.: Juneteenth at Louisville Bats: The baseball game will highlight the history of the Negro League and youth at Louisville Slugger Field.
• June 14, 11:30 a.m.: Lean Into Louisville Luncheon at The Palm Room Office of Equity Director Joi McAtee will host the luncheon featuring remarks by Mayor Craig Greenberg and guest speaker Jermaine Fowler, author of New York Times bestseller “The Humanity Archive: Recovering the Soul of Black History from a Whitewashed American Myth.” Tickets are $40 and can be purchased at Eventbrite.com.
• June 16: AGAPE Day: Local Divine 9 Black Greek fraternities and sororities will partner with Dare to Care to deliver food to communities. “AGAPE” refers to “the highest form of love, charity.”
• June 16, 6 p.m.: Juneteenth Gala at the Ali Center: The Juneteenth Gala is sponsored by Norton Healthcare, Fifth Third Bank, Republic Bank and the Office of Equity. It will recognize and award historians and future and present leaders for the tremendous work they have done to improve racial equity within the community. The gala will also focus on Juneteenth culinary dishes and its history. Musical entertainment by Jerry Tolson Orchestra and Frankie Raymore and the Groovemasterz. Tickets are $150 and can be purchased at Eventbrite.com.
• June 17: Youth Sports Jamboree at Newburg Park: Reviving Urban Neighborhoods (R.U.N.), Inc. will host a fun-filled family event where youth can win prizes by demonstrating their knowledge of Juneteenth facts.
• June 17, 7 p.m.: “The Fannie Lou Hamer Story” at KCAAH: “The Fannie Lou Hamer Story” is a one-woman play about voting rights activist, Fannie Lou Hamer, through song and storytelling. Tickets are $25 (VIP tickets are $30) and can be purchased at Eventbrite.com.
• June 18, 2 p.m.: Father’s Day & Juneteenth Jazz Brunch at KCAAH: The Kentucky Center for African American Heritage will host Ansyn Banks Legacy Quintet with guest vocalist Karen Chavis and host Marjorie Marshall. Tickets are $40 and can be purchased at Eventbrite.com or kcaah.org. Limited VIP seating is $45.
• June 19, 6 p.m.: “Let’s Talk | Bridging the Divide: Load in Nine Times: United States Colored Troops, An Evening with former Kentucky Poet Laureate Frank X Walker” at the Frazier History Museum: Danville native and poet Frank X Walker will debut a collection of poems centered on African Americans in Kentucky during the Civil War. Eighteen of those works will be unveiled as part of the museum’s Commonwealth exhibition. The event is free, but registration is required.

For more information about the Juneteenth Jubilee Celebration, visit juneteenthlou.com.