Guest written by Shaundell Newsome, Sumnu Marketing
Now a national holiday, Juneteenth is celebrated every year on June 19 to commemorate the emancipation of those who were enslaved in the United States. On June 19, 1865 the announcement of General Oder No. 3, by Union Army General Gordon Granger, proclaimed freedom from slavery in Texas. This was significant and necessary, despite the fact that President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation (January 1, 1863) had officially outlawed slavery in Texas and the other states that had rebelled against the Union, almost two and a half years earlier. How does this celebration translate to today? What are we doing to build on this emancipation of the descendants of slaves?
Last summer, the murder of a black man, George Floyd, by a white police officer sparked protests across the country. The Black Lives Matter movement took center stage amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and the country’s unexpected shut down. Americans were forced to take a strong look at racial inequities and diversity, equity, and inclusion in companies and organizations. Celebrating Juneteenth is more than cookouts, community events and parties. It should be a reminder that we have a moral, civil and social obligation to treat everyone with fairness and equality. Everyone, no matter what race or background should celebrate Juneteenth for that reason.
In Las Vegas, Roxann McCoy, President of the local chapter of the National Association of Advancement for Colored People (NAACP) and Ken Evans, President of the Urban Chamber of Commerce saw fit to join forces and bring “edu-tainment” to boost engagement and awareness about Juneteenth activities in the Southern Nevada community.
On Friday, June 18, the two organizations are hosting the Juneteenth Jubilee Breakfast to bring all Las Vegas communities together to learn our country’s history, honor the past, celebrate the present, and build connections for the future.
Watch the video to learn more about why they decided to join forces for this celebration:
There will also be several Juneteenth events and activities throughout the community this entire weekend, including:
June 18th (Friday)
- 10:30am – 1pm – Juneteenth Jubilee Breakfast brought to you by the Urban Chamber and the NAACP Las Vegas chapter
- 7pm – 10pm – Juneteenth in the 106: Inaugural Celebration at the Pearson
June 19th (Saturday)
- 11am – 7pm – The Black Family Reunion & Grand Opening of Miraculous Beauty
- 4972 S Maryland Pkwy., 89119
- 1pm – 2:30pm – Save Our Sons: 2nd Annual Juneteenth Festival
- Lorenzi Park, 3343 W Washington Ave., 89107 | Alfalfa Pavilion
- 1pm – 5:30pm – Body Goodness & Creative Vibes: Juneteenth Pop-up Shop
- Prodigy Training Center, 7211 W Sahara Ave., 89117
- 2pm – 6pm – District Arts: Pop-up Shop
- District Arts, 9710 W Tropicana Ave., #100, 89147
- 3pm – 8pm – The Hasan Kitchen: Juneteenth Celebration of Freedom
- The Hasan Kitchen, 5626 W Charleston Blvd., #120, 89146
- 5pm – 9pm, Poppin’ Marketplace Juneteenth Weekend
- Del’La Couture Boutique – 107 E Charleston Blvd., Ste. 295 (Downtown Arts District)
- 6pm – 9pm – 20th Annual Las Vegas Juneteenth Festival
- Kianga Isoke Park (Doolittle), 951 W Lake Mead Blvd., 89106
- 6pm – 10pm – Juneteenth Pride Celebration
- Fergusons, 401 S Maryland Pkwy., 89101
June 20th (Sunday)
- 3pm – 5:30pm – West African Drum & Dance Workshops
- Rhythm Nation LV Dance Studio, 3315 E Russell Rd., Ste. 4F, 89120
- 7pm – J365: Poetry, Paint & Potions
- Rhythm Nation LV Dance Studio, 3315 E Russell Rd., Ste. 4F, 89120
For more info about events listed in the Pull Up Tour visit https://www.juneteenth365.com
