What is Juneteenth?
Juneteenth is a joyous historical holiday celebrated primarily among Black Americans. The day is recognized by many states, including Ohio, but needs to be considered a national holiday. This day deserves recognition and respect from all of us, and we should all aim to learn more and celebrate this meaningful day.
On June 19, 1865, Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas with news that the war had ended and that enslaved people were now free. This was 2 1/2 years after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, which had become official Jan. 1, 1863. The 13th Amendment, which was ratified in 1865, freed enslaved people everywhere in the U.S. More info here.
Throughout the country, there are celebrations on Juneteenth. Here’s a list of many of those taking place in Ohio! Please visit the links to see if organizers are asking for a Black-only space or if aspiring allies are invited.
Akron
- Akron Votes Juneteenth Voter Registration Kickoff
- 6/19 at 7pm — Online
- Akron Minority Council Juneteenth Event
- 6/19 at 12pm-5pm — Various Locations
Cincinnati
- Juneteenth Protest
- 6/19 at 3pm — Oxford, OH: Freedom Summer Civil Rights Memorial
- Juneteenth Cookout Celebration
- 6/19 at 4pm — Inwood Park
- Virtual Cincinnati Juneteenth Festival 2020
- 6/19 at 7pm — Online
Cleveland
- Celebrate Juneteenth on Larchmere
- 6/19 10am – 6/20 6pm — Larchmere Blvd
- Celebration at the John Brown House
- 6/19 from 4:30 p.m. – 6 p.m.
- Black Lives Matter Peaceful Protest
- 6/19 at 6pm — Great Lakes Mall
- Voter Registration Event
- 6/19 at Dave’s Supermarket on East 61st Street in Cleveland from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m
- Juneteenth Celebration
- 6/19 at 11am — UnBAR Cafe
- Juneteenth in JULY: Community Picnic & Free Movie
- July 25th at 6pm — Coventry
- Freedom on Juneteenth | An evening of music, spoken word & dance
- 6/19 at 7pm — Online
- Juneteenth Celebration and NAACP Freedom Walk
- 6/20 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- More Cleveland Events
Columbus
- Love and Light BBQ
- 6/19 at 4pm — Goodale Park
- We Are Maroon: Juneteenth at The BoxPark
- 6/20 at 11:30am — 925 Mt. Vernon Ave
- Juneteenth Festival: Celebrating Freedom
- 6/19 at 12pm — King Arts Complex
- Juneteenth Community Event
- 6/19 at 6pm — Phenix Banquet Center
Dayton
- Juneteenth Party with Chef Dane and Haley
- 6/19 at 6pm — Toxic Brew Company
- Juneteenth Celebration
- 6/19 at 12pm — DECA Prep
Toledo
- Juneteenth Celebration
- 6/19 at 5:30pm — 2058 Glenwood Ave
- Juneteenth Dashiki Party 2020
- 6/19 at 6pm — Agenda Sports Bar & Grill
- Juneteenth in the Park
- 6/19 at 12pm — Walbridge Park
Email communications@oaesv.org to get a celebration in your town added to this list!