The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History will commemorate Juneteenth with a full day of events on June 19 that celebrate freedom, culture and community in Detroit.  

Juneteenth commemorates the day in 1865 when enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, learned of their freedom more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. Officially recognized as a federal holiday on June 17, 2021, Juneteenth Independence Day serves as both a celebration and a moment of reflection on the continued struggle for justice and equality. 

This year’s celebration at the Wright Museum begins with a keynote reflection by Jamon Jordan, the City of Detroit’s official historian, who will talk about the historical significance of Juneteenth and its enduring legacy in Detroit and across the nation. 

The museum will also offer a range of indoor and outdoor programming for all ages. Highlights include a Juneteenth treasure hunt, a silent yoga session with City Hop, and a workshop exploring healing and unity through art. Visitors can also enjoy a book giveaway hosted by the Wright Museum Women’s Committee, as well as a screening and panel discussion for “Clotilda: Last American Slave Ship.”  

Outdoor festivities will include horseback riding, chalk art, chess matches, field day activities and a dance tribute honoring ancestors. The day culminates with a cookout that celebrates Black food, followed by the Juneteenth Afterglow, which features live music. 

“American Black Journal” host Stephen Henderson talks with Lance Wheeler, Vice President of Learning and Engagement at the Wright Museum, about the upcoming Juneteenth celebration. Wheeler also shares information about the museum’s 60th anniversary this year.