Juneteenth in Downtown Chattanooga
The commemoration of Juneteenth has started! While you are celebrating with friends and family during this holiday, it is important to remember the origins of Juneteenth. On June 19, 1865, Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas with General Order No. 3 declaring that all slaves were free. Over the years, there has been a growing recognition and observation of Juneteenth resulting in its declaration as a federal holiday in 2021. The struggle for equality continues every day and Chattanooga wants to make sure everyone in the community is and feels welcome and celebrated. On March 31, 2020, the Chattanooga City Council collectively pursued and passed a resolution designating June 19 of each year as Juneteenth Independence Day in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
The city of Chattanooga wants you, your friends and family to join together to become more informed and celebrate Juneteenth. To do so, we put together a list of some activities and events.
Thursday, June 15: Black In Appalachia Presentation and Lecture
William Isom II of Black in Appalachia will be discussing the history of Emancipation Celebrations across Appalachia at Stove works, 1250 E 13th Street, beginning at 6:00 PM. The BIA project aims to highlight the often-overlooked contributions of Black Appalachians to the region’s history and to challenge the stereotypes surrounding their experiences. By sharing stories and perspectives, they hope to dismantle racial stereotypes and foster a more inclusive and accurate narrative about Appalachia.
Friday, June 16: Juba Dance Ensemble Performance
Crystal Newson will be holding a Juba Dance Ensemble at the Chattanooga Theatre Center, 400 River Street, beginning at 7:00 PM. Crystal Newson will be taking all her dancers on a journey through the history of dance created by African Americans. Juba dance is a traditional African American dance that originated during the time of slavery in the United States. Juba dance emerged as a way for enslaved individuals to express themselves, communicate and maintain their cultural traditions despite the oppressive conditions they faced. Juba dance serves as a testament to the resilience and creativity of enslaved African Americans and their descendants, highlighting their ability to transform hardships into vibrant art forms that have left a lasting impact on American culture.
Saturday, June 17: Freedom Run and Walk
Freedom can manifest itself in various aspects of life, including political, social, and personal circles. Running and walking is an exercise that can provide a liberating and empowering feeling. An opportunity to break new boundaries is at the 2nd Annual Juneteenth Freedom Run and Walk. This event will be start at 8:00 AM at the Hubert Fry Center, 4301 Amnicola Highway. Opal Lee is an American activist known as the “grandmother of the movement” for her advocacy work in promoting Juneteenth as a holiday. She dedicated her life to raising awareness of the holiday’s historical importance. In 2016, Opal Lee demonstrated her commitment to the cause by walking from her home in Fort Worth Texas to Washington D.C. to advocate for Juneteenth. Her dedication to promoting Juneteenth and her lifelong commitment to fighting for racial justice have made her an inspirational figure and a symbol of resilience and perseverance.
MOnday, June 19: The Unity Group of Chattanooga – 2nd Annual Juneteenth National Day Parade
Participants will gather on Peeples Street at 12:30 PM and the parade will begin at 1:00 PM. The parade will proceed down E. MLK Boulevard, ending at Miller Park where you can continue your celebration with the Juneteenth Gala!
Monday, June 19: The Unity Group of Chattanooga - Juneteenth 2023
The Unity Group of Chattanooga is celebrating 50 Years of Hip-Hop and to mark the event they are hosting their Juneteenth 2023 Gala! This festival will take place on Monday June 19 in Miller Park, starting at 2:00 PM. The Unity Group of Chattanooga’s Juneteenth Gala aims to honor the cultural impact and evolution of hip-hop. There will be a performance by Hip-Hop CHA, a local collective known for its dedication to preserving and promoting hip-hop culture in the region.
Saturday, June 17: Juneteenth Freedom Celebration
The Bessie Smith Cultural Center is hosting a Juneteenth Freedom Celebration June 17 from 12:00 PM to 6:30 PM presented by The University of Chattanooga, The Tennessee Arts Commission, and the City of Chattanooga. At this event you can watch a documentary talking about the history and highlights of Juneteenth. There will also be live music, food trucks and art and merchandise vendors. This event is free and open to all.
Elijah Cameron, the Director of Community Relations and Development of the Bessie Smith Cultural Center, explained that Juneteenth to him means freedom for all and freedom for everyone. Elijah enjoys spending his Juneteenth celebration by talking to his loved ones and grandchildren about Juneteenth and relying information to them to help them better understand and be informed. Elijah also explained how we as a country and community have not yet arrived at the gate. Juneteenth is not much as a celebration but needs to be more of a time to come together as a community to better understand Juneteenth and what we have overcome and what we need to overcome in the future. As a community, we need to look at Juneteenth not as a day off but a time to enhance the understanding of reality and laws that have been or need to be in place to create equality for all.
Annalee Vaccaro
Intern