City of Racine: Announces Juneteenth week long event series

City of Racine – Today, the City of Racine officially announced a week long celebration of Juneteenth, with events beginning on Saturday, June 11^th and concluding on Saturday, June 18^th. The Juneteenth Planning Committee worked diligently this past year to create amazing events, provide resources, and create educational experiences for the community to celebrate this now nationally recognized holiday.

“The last couple of years have been difficult for the community in many ways. The City and our Committee committed ourselves to making this Juneteenth something special. I want to thank all of our staff, volunteers, committee members, and our sponsors who have supported our vision for this year’s celebration,” said Lesia Hill, Chair of the City’s Juneteenth Planning Committee and Director of the Dr. John Bryant Community Center. 

“I am excited to continue our tradition of celebrating Juneteenth in the City of Racine. It’s important that we remember our nation’s history. On June 19^th, 1865 – more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation –  slaves in Galveston, Texas were told of their freedom and that the Civil War had ended. This year will celebrate the end of slavery with an amazing series of weeklong events. I want to thank Lesia, the Committee, and everyone involved with organizing this year’s celebration,” said City of Racine Mayor Cory Mason. 

“We’re excited to partner with the City of Racine for the second year in a row to celebrate Juneteenth and pay homage to those who have paved the road to freedom – many with their lives, “ said Kevin Thomas, Head of Community and Business Development for the Midwest, JPMorgan Chase (a major sponsor of the event). “We know the significance of acknowledging the historical impacts of racism and slavery, as well as the importance of celebrating how far we’ve come in history, and we are proud to support the City of Racine’s efforts to build community through this event.”

Juneteenth events start Saturday, June 11^th and conclude on Saturday, June 18^th. Event detailscan be found on the City’s Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services Department’s website at: www.cityofracine.org/ParksRec/Events/Juneteenth/ or by calling Lesia Hill at 262-636-9235.

Events include but are not limited to:

• Saturday, June 11^th
  • PWNS Miss Juneteenth Pageant
• Sunday, June 12^th
  • Juneteenth Flag Raising Ceremony
  • Underground Railroad Heritage Trail
• Monday, June 13^th
  • Mahogany Gallery Black Art Museum
  • Black History Class
  • Biblical Black History Presentation
• Tuesday, June 14^th
  • Workshops sponsored by Chase in partnership with RUSD, HBCU, and Divine 9
  • Know Your Rights Information Sessions
• Wednesday, June 15^th
  • Racine County Day at the Bryant Center
  • Money Smart and Home Buyers Workshops sponsored by Chase
• Thursday, June 16^th
  • Understanding Insurance Sponsored by the Urban League
  • Credit, Savings, and Budget Sponsored by Chase
  • Black Nurses Association Mental Health and Wellness
• Friday, June 17^th
  • A Night To Remember Sneakers Ball at Festival Hall (tickets available at Ticketmaster.com or the Bryant Center)
• Saturday, June 18^th
  • NAACP Freedom Walk
  • Caron Butler Basketball Camp and Jimmy Ward Football Camp
  • Official Juneteenth Annual Celebration at Noon
  • National Recording Artist Dave Hollister performance at 6pm