Juneteenth Events and Resources to Celebrate and Learn
By Tamara Few, Community Volunteer Ambassador, Mississippi National River and Recreation Area
Originally published June 2020; Updated June 2021
Juneteenth is on Saturday this year, but there are plenty of events happening in the Twin Cities metro area to make it a week long celebration! June 19th is the day that marks the end of slavery in the United States. Juneteenth (also known as Freedom Day, Emancipation Day, and Black Independence Day) has been celebrated since 1865 when Union soldiers led by General Gordan Granger reached Galveston, Texas. They brought the news to enslaved African Americans that the Civil War had ended and they were free. The news came two and a half years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation.
Although this day commemorates the end of slavery, it does not mark the end of injustice and inequality that still plagues our nation. We all need to commit to lifting up the Black, Indigenous, and person’s of color in our community every day. We must continually educate ourselves about the history and the struggles that these communities have faced in this nation. We also need to celebrate and acknowledge the incredible strength and resilience that Black, Indigenous, and Brown communities hold.
Minnesota has been observing Juneteenth since 1996, and Minneapolis made it a city holiday in 2021, but celebrations have been going on for much longer because of community based organizations. For years, Juneteenth has been celebrated in the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area at North Mississippi Regional Park thanks to the Juneteenth Legacy Committee and a host of other partners. This year, the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board and partners are hosting several events at various parks throughout the week.
Learn about the history of Juneteenth, celebrate at one of many community events, and learn how to make the outdoors more equitable and inclusive on the Mississippi River every day.
Resources to Learn More About Juneteenth
Equity in Parks Resources
Five Ways to Make the Outdoors More Inclusive (The Atlantic)
We gathered experts from every discipline and asked them one question: What would you do to make the outdoors more inclusive? What they came up with was a five-step action plan.
The Melanin Base Camp Guide to Outdoor Allyship
Do you ever read about racism in the outdoors and think, “Well, that can’t be right, nature doesn’t see color”? Or maybe you’ve listened to someone recount their experience of discrimination, while waiting impatiently for a chance to interject and explain how they were wrong, and that didn’t actually happen.
Your home base for diversity in outdoor adventure sports. The purpose of Melanin Basecamp is to inspire you with weekly content from Black, Brown, Asian, Indigenous and Queer People of Color who love the outdoors. Join the movement and help us #diversifyoutdoors.
A coalition of social media influencers – bloggers, athletes, activists, and entrepreneurs – who share the goal of promoting diversity in outdoor spaces where BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and other diverse identities have historically been marginalized and silenced. We are passionate about promoting equity and access to the outdoors for all — that includes being body positive and celebrating different skill levels and abilities.
Outside Voices Podcast is driven by one simple idea: that the outdoors belongs to all of us. We all have a relationship to nature, whether through hiking, gardening, surfing, sacred ceremony or gathering at the local park. We aim to celebrate and amplify those who don’t always see themselves reflected in the “Great Outdoors” narrative.
Outdoor Afro has become the nation’s leading, cutting edge network that celebrates and inspires Black connections and leadership in nature. Helping people take better care of themselves, our communities, and our planet! Outdoor Afro is a national non-profit organization with leadership networks around the country - including here in the Twin Cities!
Events to Celebrate and Support Juneteenth in the Twin Cities
Minneapolis Park & Recreation Events
A number of activities in various parks, with a variety of in-person, virtual and distanced options, so that everyone can participate based on their own comfort level. Events include: Storybook strolls featuring Black authors and artists at several Minneapolis parks, Virtual community panel discussions, kite flying, and outdoor movies and music.
Saint Paul Public Library Virtual Event
SPPL is partnering with OMG Media again this year to celebrate Juneteenth! OMG Media is producing a 30-minute historical video tracing the Duluth Lynchings' story featuring Josie Johnson and Bryan Stevenson. The video airs on SPNN on June 19 and will be available on its website, as well.
Hennepin County Library Events
Come together online to witness powerful stories, performances, rhythms and songs. All live virtual events will have ASL interpretation and all recorded programs will have captioning. Register for one, some, or all of the programs.
Northside Community Juneteenth Celebration
Black, Bold and Brilliant, in collaboration with Pimento Relief Services, will be presenting the Northside Community Juneteenth Celebration. There will be free food, music, books, and activities for the whole family, as well as the Ujamaa Black Vendors Market!
Juneteenth March and Rally
Hosted by Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Mitchell Hamline School of Law, Communities United Against Police Brutality (CUAPB), Justice4MarcusGolden, Racial Justice Network, Black Business Matters Minnesota, Saint Paul For Justice, Saint Paul For Justice, Black Lives Matter Twin Cities Metro, Black Lives Matter Minnesota, Black Saint Paul
Juneteenth at Midtown Global Market
Juneteenth story telling with Auntie Beverly; Juneteenth kids craft; Dancing Divas dance troop; Chicago Steppin’ by Command Steppers, and more.