Ways to Commemorate Juneteenth in Houston This Year

HOUSTON (KIAH) – BANF (BIPOC Arts & Network Fund) is proud to announce that it will celebrate Juneteenth this year with a series of events. Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the United States and is celebrated annually on Juneteenth, the day Major General Gordon Granger ordered the final implementation of the Emancipation Proclamation in Texas at the end of the American Civil War in 1865.

BANF will host a variety of events to celebrate this historic occasion and its significance to the African American community:

On Saturday June 8the Nia Cultural Center: The Gospel Emancipation Celebration will take place on the island at the Grand Opera House at 7 p.m. 3rd annual event will feature artists Fred Hammond And The Stinsons Five as headliners.

The Houston Museum of African American Culture (HMAAC) will host several events throughout the week, starting with the FREE screening of “Black is… Black is not” director’s documentary Marlon Riggs on June 12 at 7:30 p.m., a performance of the play, “Arms of freedom” directed Makaela Reed on June 19 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and an open mic poetry event hosted by Chief Ikenna later in the evening at 7 p.m. Information regarding admission to the event can be found on the HMAAC website.

Freedman’s Town Conservatory in Houston will host a panel discussion titled “Porch Talk” on Thursday June 13 to 6 p.m. ET a high commission experience will include food, live music, art and performances the following week, June 19 at 4 p.m. at the Freedman Town Visitor Center.

The highlight of the week will be the annual Juneteenth Musical Celebration at the Emancipation Park Conservancy on Saturday, June 15. The 2nd Annual March for Freedom will take place at the park at 7 a.m. and a FREE concert featuring the Juneteenth Community Gospel Choirsoul artist King Anderson and zydeco from Lil Nathan and the Great Timekeepers. Emancipation Park is located at 3018 Emancipation Ave. Houston, TX 77004.