Bodman Recognizes Juneteenth Wednesday, June 19

By: Bodman PLC

06/14/24

Wednesday, June 19, is Juneteenth, which commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. In January 1863, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, which abolished slavery. However, it took more than 2.5 years – until June 19, 1865 – for the last remaining enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas to learn of their freedom.

In 2021, President Biden signed into law legislation establishing Juneteenth as a national holiday. In recognition of the holiday, all Bodman offices will be closed on Wednesday.

We have compiled a list of Juneteenth events taking place starting this weekend in Detroit, metro Detroit, Ann Arbor, and Grand Rapids. A copy of the list appears below. We encourage everyone to take advantage of some of these events to celebrate and learn more about this national holiday.

Juneteenth 2024 Events

Detroit

Juneteenth Jubilee Detroit Freedom Weekend

• Friday, June 14: Dancing in the Streets at Motown Museum
• Saturday, June 15: Liberation for Life at the Joseph Walker Williams Community Center
• Sunday, June 16: Freedom Festival at Eastern Market District
• More details here

Juneteenth Freedom Fest

• Sunday, June 16 – 12-6pm
• This year, the Juneteenth Freedom Fest celebration will include activities for the entire family, such as live music performances, interactive history exhibits, children’s games and activities, educational workshops, food vendors offering a variety of cuisines, and a vibrant marketplace showcasing local artisans and entrepreneurs.
• More details here

Juneteenth Detroit Comedy Fundraiser

• Friday, June 14 – 8pm-12am
• You can celebrate Black history with a laugh at this Juneteenth comedy show. The event will center local Black comedians including Chef Bullet, Detroit Red, Big Shorty, Uncle Smoove, Shawn E, and Kong G.
• More details here

Detroit Juneteenth 2024

• Saturday, June 15 – 1-6pm
• Celebrate Black culture with food, wine, art, and music at this event hosted by Detroiter Victoire Way.
• More details here

Juneteenth BBQ Patry Detroit

• Saturday, June 15 – 3-10pm
• Detroit barbeques are the best, and not only is this one free, but it will honor African American freedom and achievement. The day-long event features food trucks, vendors, and games, as well as hot hip-hop and R&B music.
• More details here

Juke Joint

• Saturday, June 15 – 7-11pm
• Dance and vibe to Black music with live performances by Ruby Flwrs, Ron English Band, N Da Pocket, and DJ Anka. Proceeds from this event will be donated to nonprofits that support advancement in Detroit’s community.
• More details here

Juneteenth at the Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation

• Wednesday, June 19 – 12-4pm
• In partnership with Chase Bank’s Michigan Chapter Employee Resource Groups, Fantazma Market and Cafe is hosting this fun Juneteenth event. The celebration will feature face painting, salsa and hustle lessons, a bounce house, food trucks, vendors, music by DJ Deadphone, and a live performance by Kid Jay.
• More details here

Juneteenth on the Cut

• Wednesday, June 19 – 2-7pm
• Celebrate Juneteenth on the Dequindre Cut with live music, vendors, food trucks, and more. The event will celebrate the legacy of Black Bottom with storytelling, performances, and interactive opportunities for all ages. Limited seating is available, so guests are encouraged to bring blankets or chairs. Food and beverages will be available for purchase.
• More details here

Nlkbox’s Juneteenth

• Wednesday, June 19 – 7pm
• In honor of Juneteenth, neo-classical piano prodigy BLKBOX is returning home to Detroit to showcase his high-energy, immersive, and culturally reflective performances.
• More details here

Detroit Book City’s Juneteenth Book Fair

• Saturday, June 22 – 12-5pm
• Detroit Book City is ecstatic to host it’s Juneteenth Book Fair 2024 celebrating freedom through literature. This is an outside FREE tent event held at Historic People’s Community Church. The first 100 adult door arrivals get a free SWAG bag! This is a family-friendly event, all ages welcome.
• More details here

Metro Detroit

Farmington Hills – 6^th Annual Juneteenth Celebration

• Friday, June 14 – 7-11pm: Annual Drive-in Family Movie Night
• Saturday, June 15 – 10am-4pm: Community Festival
• Sunday, June 16 – 1-2:30pm: Healing Service in Fellowship Hall
• More details here

Madison Heights – 4^th Annual Juneteenth Celebration

• Saturday, June 15 – 12-6pm at Civic Center Park
• Madison Heights’ annual Juneteenth festival this year will feature an opening prayer, a day of live music, and Black-owned food trucks. For the kids, there will be a free bounce house, free petting zoo, free pony rides, and arts and crafts.
• More details here

Southfield – 6^th Annual Juneteenth Family Reunion

• Saturday, June 15 – 12pm: Juneteenth Family Reunion
• Sunday, June 16 – 10am: Sunday Service
• Since 2018, Curators of Black Excellence have hosted the Juneteenth Family Reunion in Southfield with the mission of being a family-focused event featuring the best in Black culture, food, and entertainment. This year, the event will include a coinciding Sunday Service happening at 10 a.m. the following day.
• More details here

Royal Oak – 4^th Annual Juneteenth Celebration

• Wednesday, June 19 – 3-8pm
• Our celebration will feature a Freedom Walk to honor this historic occasion, along with an array of family-friendly activities, groove to soulful music, games, witness captivating performances, food trucks offering delicious cuisines and delectable treats, explore the offerings of local vendors, giveaways, and much more!
• More details here

West Bloomfield – Juneteenth Jamboree

• Wednesday, June 19 – 10am-2pm
• Juneteenth Jamboree is a free, fun, family-friendly event. All are welcome to celebrate our community’s diversity & strength and honor the day the final enslaved people were emancipated in June 1865. Celebrate the countless contributions of African Americans to our nation.
• More details here

Ann Arbor

Juneteenth Event: There Went The Neighborhood

• Wednesday, June 19 – 7-9pm
• Join us for a film screening and discussion of “There Went the Neighborhood: The Closing of Jones School”, a 2024 film exploring the 1965 decision by the Ann Arbor Board of Education to close the majority-Black Jones School.
• More details here

Annex: Juneteenth Artist Exhibition – Show Me Justice: Exploring Art As Activism

• Thursday, June 20 – 5pm
• Attendees will be treated to a range of visual art pieces from photography, to graphic design, to paintings where the artist is using their art to promote or urge on social justice.
• More details here

Take Me Out to The Ball Game: The History of Negro League Baseball

• Thursday, June 20 – 5pm
• Come learn all about the history of Negro League Baseball! Join the University of Michigan Juneteenth Committee to color photos of Negro League Players, get baseball cards for some of the players, and see if you can throw a pitch like Negro League great, Satchel Paige! We’ll learn about the different teams and top players, and will have Cracker Jacks and Big League Chew gum treats!
• More details here

Ypsilanti Juneteenth Celebration

• Friday, June 21 – 6-10pm: NPHC / Divine 9 & Black Organizations
• Saturday, June 22 – 11am-8:30pm: Live Music, Vendors, Showcases
• Sunday, June 23 – 11:30am-7pm: Live Music, Vendors, Sunday Reflection
• More details here

Juneteenth Film Festival

• June 2 – June 29
• Our Juneteenth Film Festival is to honor Black actors/actresses, writers, directors and filmmakers through films that present compelling moral stories and educate on racism and Black history. The film festival is from June 2-29, 2023 showcasing a different set of films each week. The theme for this year features films centered around music.  The festival will take place in Michigan at Emagine Royal Oak.  Tickets are only $5 and all proceeds will go to UNCF*
• More details here

Grand Rapids

4^th Annual Juneteenth Pop-up

• Saturday, June 15 – 1-8pm
• A pop-up shop for the community! Martin Luther King Jr. Park is the site of the 4th annual Juneteenth Pop Up Shop featuring a variety of Black-owned businesses. 1-8pm. Come out and support!
• More details here

Justice 4 All Juneteenth Jam

• Wednesday, June 19 – 4-8pm
• This will be the 4^th annual Juneteenth Jam thrown for the City of Grand Rapids. This event is free to the public and will be a day to celebrate black art, entertainment, culture, and experience!
• More details here

Baxter Juneteenth Celebration – “Block Party” Juneteenth Screening

• Wednesday, June 19 – 7pm – Doors open at 6pm
• Watch the made-in-GR movie “BLOCK PARTY” for free in the theater! With Juneteenth celebrations before the film!
• More details here

 Grand Rapids Junior Juneteenth 2024 Dickinson Park Dundunba

• Wednesday, June 19 – 12-7pm
• Pan-African Juneteenth is a cultural holiday celebration and the recognition of the American Emancipation Proclamation. Come and enjoy the celebration at Dickinson Park along with a parade.
• More details here

DCG Workshop: Juneteenth & Pickling

• Wednesday, June 19 – 9:30-11:30am
• Jade Rabbit will be hosting a workshop all about the holiday of Juneteenth! The workshop will be at the Downtown Community Garden.
• More details here

Black History Trivia Night

• Thursday, June 20 – 6-7:30pm
• Join NIA Centre for a fun Black History Trivia Night! This event is free and an awesome time to show off your knowledge of Black History or learn more about Black History in honor of celebrating Juneteenth. The top three trivia winners will also win a special gift. We hope to see you there!
• More details here