Juneteenth 2023: A Family Reunion

Juneteenth is the national holiday commemorating the emancipation of the last group of enslaved Africans, located in Texas. Coined as an amalgam of the month and the date, and known as Freedom Day, June 19^th marks the date that the last of the enslaved Africans in America were notified of their freedom via the Emancipation Proclamation, which was signed over two years before, on January 1, 1863. June 19 became a federal holiday in 2021, with several states and regions honoring the date for the very first time that year. Long championed by Opal Lee, a retired schoolteacher, Juneteenth is a celebration—a moment for Black people to honor their transition from enslaved to free.

The Marcus Garvey Cultural Center, in collaboration with The University of Northern Colorado, and powered by PDC Energy, invite you to attend and enjoy our Juneteenth Celebration! This year’s theme is Juneteenth: A Family Reunion and was created to serve as a space and time where Black Northern Coloradans can come together to celebrate liberation while also honoring a legacy of sacrifices made while working towards freedom. While centering Black people and Black culture, we welcome all cultures and identities to come together to celebrate and learn more about the legacy of Juneteenth, and the work it took for this day to receive its rightful recognition. This event is a moment in time designed to create and be in community in a new and meaningful way.

Event Details:

Saturday, June 17, 2023
12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Gunter Green and Gym
Free Street Parking and Lot Parking Available
Free and open to the public
BBQ
Black-owned & Black-minded Vendor Fair
Games & Activities

A group of black students celebrating in 2022 Juneteenth

About Juneteenth

Origin of the Name: Juneteenth gets its name by combining the words "June" and "nineteenth," representing the day it is celebrated.

Historical Delay: Juneteenth marks the delayed announcement of emancipation in Texas, as it took over two years for the news of the Emancipation Proclamation to reach enslaved African Americans in the state.

Celebratory Traditions: Juneteenth is traditionally celebrated with various activities, including prayer services, parades, picnics, barbecues, music, dancing, and historical readings.

State Holiday Pioneer: Texas was the first state to officially recognize Juneteenth as a state holiday in 1980. It later spread to other states across the nation.

Galveston, Texas: The city of Galveston, Texas, holds special significance in Juneteenth history, as it was where General Gordon Granger issued General Order No. 3, officially announcing the emancipation of enslaved people in Texas.

National Recognition: Juneteenth became the 12th federal holiday in the United States when it was signed into law by President Joe Biden on June 17, 2021.

Symbol of Freedom: Juneteenth is not only a celebration of the end of slavery but also a reminder of the ongoing struggle for equality and justice in the United States.

Global Observance: Juneteenth celebrations and awareness have spread beyond the United States, with people in other countries acknowledging and commemorating the holiday.

Artistic Expressions: Juneteenth has inspired numerous works of art, including paintings, music, literature, and films, that reflect the significance and impact of the holiday.

Educational Importance: Juneteenth serves as a reminder of the importance of learning and understanding the history of slavery, the Civil War, and the ongoing fight against racial injustice in the United States.

Importance to the Marcus Garvey Cultural Center

“For the Garvey, Juneteenth is an opportunity for us to share with the community some of our core values: community, outreach and, most importantly, legacy,” janine weaver-douglas, Ed.D.*, director of the Marcus Garvey Cultural Center said.“We exist fully as the products of our ancestors, and our lives were made possible because of both their successes and struggles towards liberation.Juneteenth highlights that the fight for freedom is universal and shared, and this eventprovides us a moment of solidarity and celebration for how farwe’ve come.”