Juneteenth will be recognized and celebrated this weekend with a two-day event at Civic Plaza.
A federal holiday as of 2021, Juneteenth commemorates the freedom of the last slaves in Texas on June 19, 1865, which was nearly two years after the Emancipation Proclamation had abolished slavery.
The theme for the Albuquerque celebration this year is “Healing and Unification.” The event will honor and acknowledge Black-owned businesses, artists, performers and vendors.
The event at Civic Plaza will include speakers, national and local music acts, a COVID-19 vaccination clinic, food and dancing. The celebration is free and family-friendly and runs noon to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Other highlights include:
- Black Wall Street (local entrepreneurs sharing financial literacy)
- Soul Food Alley
- A Kid’s Corner
- Black Excellence Avenue (featuring a curated art show)
- Healing and Unification Room featuring Community Circles
- Break out educational workshops in Convention Center
For more information on Juneteenth, click here.
Ahead of the celebration, there will be an virtual class session titled “What is Juneteenth: An Online Learning Experience,” which will discuss the history of Juneteenth as a holiday and how it has been celebrated in America.
The free Zoom session will take place from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday. For more information, click here.
This event will be facilitated by Nichole Rogers from the Office of Black Community Engagement. Learners will engage in dialogue and activities to better understand the history of the holiday and its importance in racial and social justice work.
