Celebrating Juneteenth
What is Juneteenth?
Juneteenth is an American holiday celebrated on June 19. It memorializes June 19, 1865, when Union General Gordon Granger read orders in Galveston, Texas, that all previously enslaved people in Texas were free. After the Emancipation Proclamation was signed on January 1st, 1863, and put into motion, many enslaved African Americans were notified of their freedom. However, enslaved people who were in Texas did not get notification until 2.5 years after the proclamation, which is why we celebrate this day as the ending of chattel slavery.
Join our Juneteenth Celebration!
Friday, June 21, 2024 from 4:00-6:30PM in the SUB Ballrooms
This year's theme is "What We Do With Our Freedom."
Fun-filled family-friendly festival featuring a panel of speakers, joyful music, and delectable, historically significant dishes. Come join us to celebrate black excellence and honor American history. All ages welcome for educational activities, games and more!
This event is hosted by the Black Student Union & the Office of Diversity and Inclusion.
Subject to Change
4:00 – 4:30 pm: People enter, get food, listen to band perfomance
4:30 – 4:35 pm: Welcome from BSU
4:35 – 4:50 pm: Possibly poetry by Jasmine and Poetry Collective
4:50 – 5:15 pm: Panel of speakers
5:15 – 6:30 pm: Go explore and enjoy!
- Activities, mingling, Trivia & Unsung Heroes presentation (passive)
- Music (DJ) starts
- People check out vendors and interact with activities at their own pace
Main Dishes:
Desserts:
- Sweet Potato Pie
- Peach Cobbler
Drinks:
- Red Drink (Fruit Punch)
- Sweet Tea
- Iced Water
4:00 - 4:30 pm:
Live jazz featuring artists from MSU's Jazz Bands:
- Lawrence Dyneson - Tenor Saxophone
- Sienna Chandler - Trumpet
- Kellan Moore - Piano
- Audrina Williams - Bass
- Carson Putnam - Drums
5:15 – 6:30 pm:
Justus Entertainment DJ
Info coming soon!
Info coming soon!
MSU’s Juneteenth Cookout & Celebration Guide
Celebrating on June 19th is as easy as 1, 2, 3!
1. Cookout and Eat Together
Invite and gather with the people you would like to celebrate with on the 19th! Share
some of this history
before eating. Having an open conversation about the history of Juneteenth honors
the history and
significance of the day, and incorporate Black history throughout the year.
Planning your Cookout and Movie Night
- Hype up your household! Get those around you excited to celebrate this history with you, and get them excited to learn more about why it is a holiday!
- Find a screen! The most important consideration for choosing where to hold your cookout is your ability to comfortably watch and listen to a movie! This could be on a laptop, or could be on a TV or projector.
- Make some food! There are a few recipe linked below to get you thinking about making some food to celebrate Juneteeth. There are many more foods to make, but these are a few ideas.
Recipes to make for your Cookout
2. Join Ms. Opal Lee’s Walk
Opal Lee is considered the “Grandmother of Juneteeth” for her leading efforts to get Juneteeth recognized nationally. Ms. Opal Lee’s Walk is a 2.5 mile walk to represent the amount of time it took for word to reach all enslaved people about the Emancipation Proclamation. Get outside and celebrate in your own community.
3. Watch Media that Educates about Black History
There are various differnt ways to educate yourself and those around you about Juneteeth.
There are
T.V. show episodes, books, and documentaries that you can watch to learn some of this history.
Links to poems, videos, and additional history about Juneteenth
"Still I Rise" by Maya Angelou
"The People Could Fly" by Virginia Hamilton
The Thirteenth Documentary (free on YouTube and Netflix)
Resources for kids
"The Hate You Give" Movie (pay to rent or buy on YouTube)
"Monster" by Walter Dean Myers (free on Kindle AudioBooks)
Reading Rainbow: Follow the Drinking Gourd ($1.99 on Amazon)
Learn More About Past MSU Juneteenth Celebrations Here:
Monday, June 19, 2023 from 5:00-7:00PM @ Romney Oval
Fun-filled family friendly festival featuring powerful speakers, joyful music, and delectable dishes rich with history. Come join us in celebrating black excellence and honoring American history. All ages welcome for educational activities, games and more.
This event is hosted by the Office of Diversity & Inclusion, the Diversity & Inclusion Student Commons, and ASMSU.
Menu:
- Fried Chicken
- Pulled Pork Sandwiches
- Macaroni & Cheese
- Collard Greens
- Cornbread
- Pecan Dessert Bars
- Sweet Potato Pie
- Peach Cobbler
- Red Drink
- Lemonade
- Sweet Tea
Music:
5-6pm:
Live jazz featuring artists from MSU's Jazz Bands:
- Lawrence Dyneson - Tenor Saxophone
- Sienna Chandler - Trumpet
- Kellan Moore - Piano
- Audrina Williams - Bass
- Carson Putnam - Drums
6-7 pm:
Justus Entertainment DJ
Speeches:
- MSU students, staff, and faculty
- Destini French, licensed cosmetologist and owner of Cultured Roots MT
Games:
- Corn hole
- Ladder ball
- Connect 4
