Since 1993, Lansing has been formally celebrating Juneteenth. But what exactly is Juneteenth?

*Juneteenth (short for “June Nineteenth”) marks the day when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1865 to take control of the state and ensure that all enslaved people be freed. The troops' arrival came a full two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation.
Juneteenth honors the end to slavery in the United States and is considered the longest-running African American holiday. On June 17, 2021, it officially became a federal holiday. (* https://bit.ly/3wfgwRV)

Juneteenth - Lansing, Michigan

Lansing Juneteenth Celebration

Lansing Juneteenth Celebration June 16-19, 2022
Since 1993 Lansing has formally celebrated this holiday. In recent years, the African American parade and Juneteenth merged for multiday event complete with the parade, a commemorative baseball game and tribute to the Negro Leagues, a picnic and freedom celebration at St. Joseph Park and most importantly, the culmination of the Dr. Eva L. Evans essay competition and scholarship program.

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517 Juneteenth Weekend

517 Juneteenth Weekend

517 Juneteenth Weekend June 16-19, 2022
2022 marks the second year of this celebration in REO Town Lansing. This Juneteenth Weekend offers a variety of events and activities in Lansing's most upbeat district while highlighting a range of black-local artists and art forms, black-owned businesses, food vendors, informational booths, and much more.

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MSU Juneteenth Celebration 2022

MSU Celebrates Juneteenth

Join the second annual Michigan State University Juneteenth Celebration on Friday, June 17, 2022, from 5-9 p.m. at the Breslin Center. The celebration's theme of AFROFUTURISM centers Black history to envision futures of Black liberation.
The event will feature the Harlem Renaissance and Idlewild student art exhibit and performances, and the Black Wall Street business exhibition to center Black student entrepreneurship. The program will include messages from campus leaders and live music and food.

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Celebrate Juneteenth

Meridian Business Freedom Fest

A multi-event celebration has been planned to honor Juneteenth in Meridian Township. During the week of June 13-June 19, community members are encouraged to participate in one or all of the events to help bring awareness to the historical day.

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While the American holiday of Juneteenth can be celebratory for some, it can also be a day of commemoration, to remember the injustices, suffering and the horrific brutality of slavery. It's the perfect time to learn more, support and lift up our our fellow man. 

Photo Credit: Kendall Lartigue