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Hi Neighbors! As Juneteenth is approaching, I wanted to highlight some amazing events that are happening in our community!
Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. The recognition and celebration of Juneteenth marks the day when Union Soldiers, in 1865, arrived in Galverston, Texas to spread the news that the Civil War had ended, and that enslaved people were now free.
Over two years prior to this Union action, in 1863, President Abraham Lincoln passed the Emancipation Proclamation which freed all African American slaves under Confederate control. However, this was unfortunately more in theory than in action; as it didn't apply to slave-holding border states or rebel areas already under Union control. The Proclamation left it up to slaveowners to tell enslaved people about their new freedom; but since there was no enforcement under Confederate control, many slaveowners neglected to inform enslaved African Americans of said freedom.
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In 1865, newly freed African Americans in Texas organized the first of what became the annual celebration of "Jubilee Day" on June 19th; and as Black people migrated from Texas to other parts of the country the Juneteenth tradition spread. In 1979, Texas became the first state to make Juneteenth an official holiday. Then in June 2021 Congress passed, and President Biden signed into law a resolution establishing Juneteenth as a federal holiday. And most recently, in 2023 Governor Walz signed a bill making Minnesota the 26th state to recognize Juneteenth as a state holiday.
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However, prior to both the federal and state actions, in May 2021, I along with my colleague Chair Fernando, authored a resolution to establish Juneteenth as a recognized holiday for the County. Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery and the triumphs, culture, and achievements of African Americans locally and across the United States. This is an opportunity to think about the centuries of work that African Americans have done to advance equity in this country and to build the very country we see today. |
This holiday is so important to recognize, and I hope you all will find an event of interest and enjoy the day celebrating with us!
As always, please reach out with questions, comments, or to learn more about how to get involved.
In celebration,
Meet Minneapolis Juneteenth Fun Run:
When: June 15th, 9-11:00am
Where: Theodore Wirth Golf Course (1221 Theodore Wirth Pkwy, Minneapolis, MN 55422)
Sign up here
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The Original Juneteenth of Minneapolis:
When: June 15th, 12-6:00pm
Where: Phyllis Weatley/ Bethune Park (1304 10th Ave N., Minneapolis)
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Black Art Health and Healing Community Juneteenth Celebration:
When: June 15th, 1-7:00pm
Where: North Hennepin Community College (7411 85th Ave N, Brooklyn Park, MN 55445)
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University of Minnesota Juneteenth Celebration:
When: June 15th, 11-5:00pm
Where: UROC (2001 Plymouth Ave N, Minneapolis)
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West Broadway Juneteenth Block Party:
When: June 16th, 10-6:00pm (Parade kickoff at 10:00am)
Where: On West Broadway from Lyndale to Emerson Avenue North
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Black Entrepeneur State Fair Celebrate Juneteenth Event:
When: June 18th, 10-4:00pm
Where: The Commons Park (425 Portland Ave S, Minneapolis)
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Soul of the Southside Juneteenth Festival:
When: June 19th, 12-8:00pm
Where: Lake Street and Minnehaha Ave
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Minneapolis Institue of the Arts Juneteenth Celebration:
When: June 20th, 5-9:00pm
Where: Minneapolis Institute of the Arts- Target Park
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The Anika Foundation A Family Celebration Juneteenth Event:
When: June 22nd, 12-5:00pm
Where: Minnesota State Capitol (75 Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, St. Paul)
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More events happening in Minneapolis can be found here
Contact us
Angela Conley
Commissioner, 4th District
Binta Kanteh
Policy Director
612-348-5204
Katelynn Ogunfolami
Director of District Engagement
612-348-3204
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