Juneteenth

6.10.23 – 6.19.23

Juneteenth

Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration of the end of slavery in America.

After the Emancipation Proclamation was issued on January 1, 1863, owners in many isolated areas kept word from the people they had enslaved so that they would not flee. On June 19, 1865, some of the last enslaved people in America were freed when the news, at last, reached Confederate Galveston, Texas. Since that day, Juneteenth has been celebrated to honor the African Americans who built this nation.

Save the dates for our 2023 commemoration: June 10 – June 19

Storytime featuring Michelle Edwards and Brion Martin: June 10
Decolonizing Mental Health screening: June 14
dwb (driving while black) with the Des Moines Metro Opera: June 16
Juneteenth Festival at NewBo City Market: June 17
1619 Freedom School Interview with Dr. Ashley Howard, online premiere: June 19

Use the links to learn more or scroll down to explore supporters and find your 2023 Juneteenth shirts.

Juneteenth Festival

Our Juneteenth Celebration returns to the lawn outside of NewBo City Market on Saturday, June 17 from 11-3! Enjoy live performances from…

MC Anthony Betters, Jr. & DJ Commando
Zumba with Doris Agyemang
Mayoral Proclamations – Mayors O’Donnell and AbouAssaly
Harmonica with Slayton Thompson
Spoken Word with Lydia Newsome
Gospel Artist, Bethany Elle
Spoken Work with Akwi Nji
Hip Hop Artist Tone da Boss
R&B Artist Tevin Jones
Gospel Hip Hop with Never Dream Less

Learn more about local organizations…*

Marion Alliance for Racial Equity (MARE)
Linn County Election Services
Cedar Rapids NAACP
African American Family Resiliency Association
St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church
Institute for Clinical and Transitional Science
Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center
DAFIT-NESS LLC
Tanager Place
Focus on Diabetes
His Hands Free Clinic
Cedar Rapids Public Library
Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission
The Academy for Scholastic and Personal Success
Never Dream Less
Luxeparties

New this year – a bouncy house! Hope to see you there!

*Our vendor registration is full for 2023.

Celebrate in Style

Celebrate Juneteenth with a new shirt from the AAMI. Explore the designs, colors and sizes here. Shirts are only available online via Bonfire. A portion of each sale supports the AAMI.