Celebrate Juneteenth 2021!

This year marks the 156th anniversary of Juneteenth, which commemorates June 19, 1865 when enslaved people in Galveston, Texas learned of their liberation from slavery — about two-and-a-half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. While many African-Americans mark the anniversary with family gatherings, it has been largely elided from history books and the broader American awareness.

That has begun to change. Learn more about Juneteenth in this NPR interview with historians Daina Ramey Berry and Hannibal B. Johnson, and this article from Vox.com last year.

Launch of the Black Appalachian Coalition

On June 18 at 6 p.m., join Blaque Women Rising & NAACP for the digital launch of the Black Appalachian Coalition (BLAC) and discussion on Black invisibility in Appalachia.
Speakers include:
–Bishop Marcia Dinkins of Blaque Women Rising
–Dr. Jacqueline Patterson of the NAACP
–Frank X Walker: author, educator, and Affrilachian poet
–Dr. Mustafa Santiago Ali of the National Wildlife Federation
>> Register here.

Here are some of the Juneteenth 2021 events from around Appalachia

Various dates:

James Madison’s Montpelier and the Orange County African-American Heritage Center offer a full slate of online events throughout June and beyond.

Saturday, June 19:

Northern Virginia: Join Virginia Interfaith Power & Light and others at Dorey Park, in Henrico County, Va., for a full day and evening of food, music and fireworks.

Southwest Virginia: Tazewell’s 3rd annual Juneteenth celebration begins at 11 a.m. at the Mini-Park on Main Street, followed by a parade that will end at 374 Carline Avenue where festivities will continue with food, fun and displays. Contact: Jeanette (276-970-0347) or Connie (304-887-3032) for more info.

Southwest Virginia: Big Stone Gap will have a community block party starting at 11 a.m. with a storytelling circle, food, children’s activities and more.

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