Monday, June 19, 2023, we celebrate Juneteenth, a holiday commemorating the liberation of more than 250,000 enslaved African Americans in 1865. As the day draws near, here are some ways you can celebrate Juneteenth in Cleveland, engage with the history of the holiday, and learn how Juneteenth is pertinent every day!
CLE Celebrates Juneteenth
Freedom fest
MetroHealth Cleveland’s Juneteenth Freedom Fest is Friday, June 16 (6pm-10pm) and Saturday, June 17 (10am-6pm) at Mall C in downtown Cleveland. The event kicks off Friday night with a firework show and continues Saturday with live music, good food, vendors featuring Black owned businesses, family friendly activities, and more!
Click here for more information about the event!
Cleveland Public Library Events and Exhibits
- Tour the “Celebrate Those Who Give Black Exhibit,” now permanently housed in the Cleveland Public Library.
- Wednesday, June 15 | 4:00pm Hough Branch Learn the history of Juneteenth while making paper quilts.
- Friday, June 17 | 2:00pm Glenville Branch Learn the story of Lucy Bagby, a woman who fled to Cleveland to escape slavery in a re-enactment of her story in “Last Fugitive Slave.”
- Saturday, June 18 | 11:30am Martin Luther King, Jr. Branch Attend “Knowing Your Sails: The African Origins of Sickle Cell Disease” with social worker Judy Jackson Winston and her daughter to learn about variations of sickle cell disease and how it has impacted families of African descent for generations.
Learn about celebrating Juneteenth with the Cleveland Public Library here!
Fast Facts:
- On June 19, 1865, more than 250,000 African Americans were liberated from slavery in Galveston Texas.
- Juneteenth became recognized as a state holiday in Texas in 1980, but it was not until June 17, 2021, that Juneteenth was made a federal holiday.
- Juneteenth is also commonly referred to as Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, Black Independence Day, and Emancipation Day.
Beyond June 19th
Watch the recording of the Juneteenth Lunch and Learn hosted by LMM Community Engagement Coordinator, Gloria Craig on June 15, 2022. Gloria shared the history of the holiday, why it is important to celebrate Juneteenth, and how it’s celebrated today!
Passcode to access recording: hW6$9vbV
Are you looking for an engaging summer read? Check out one (or two) of the Juneteenth inspired books recommended on the Juneteenth Inspired Reading List from the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
