UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Several events and resources are being offered for campus and community members to learn about and celebrate Juneteenth, June 19, which falls on a Saturday this year.
What began as a celebration of the end of slavery in Texas, Juneteenth — an amalgamation of the words "June" and "nineteenth" — has become a holiday commemorating the emancipation of slavery throughout the United States. Also called Jubilation Day or Freedom Day, Juneteenth refers to the Monday in 1865, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed, that Union soldiers arrived in Galvaston, Texas, and announced the liberation of America’s more than three million enslaved people.
Libraries marks Juneteenth with resources for historical, present context
Penn State University Libraries has compiled a listing of resources, including books, articles, films, artifacts and exhibits that uplift those voices — throughout history and today — who promote the work of dismantling racism, with the intention of providing educational resources and continued dialogue.
'Juneteenth Jamboree' virtual watch party
Friday, June 18, noon to 1 p.m., virtual event
Join the Outreach and Online Education Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council from noon to 1 p.m. on Friday, June 18, for a lunchtime watch party in honor of Juneteenth. We will watch two episodes from PBS' documentary "Juneteenth Jamboree," which celebrates Black history and culture.
Register here. A watch link will be provided after registration.
Virtual program: Race and the Equal Protection of the Laws
Friday, June 18, 3:30 p.m., virtual event
The Penn State Dickinson Law community will explore the groundbreaking Race and the Equal Protection of the Laws course.
Information, including registration, can be found here.
'Remembering our Freedom, Empowering our Future' — Juneteenth celebration
Saturday, June 19, 1 to 2.30 p.m. in the Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza, downtown State College
Please note the event will be livestreamed and recorded via CNET1.org. The occasion will be observed with masks and social distancing.
The State College chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the State College Borough will be hosting their second Juneteenth Commemoration, featuring live performances by local artists, State College Area School District students, Penn State students and community members. Live music, song, dance, poetry and spoken word performances will be followed by the screening of a documentary film, "District Greenwood: The Amalgamated People."
The screening will be followed by a panel discussion moderated by NAACP members at 3 p.m. at 3 DOTS at 137 E. Beaver Ave. in downtown State College.
Directed by Robert “Hershey” Alston and award winning producer Nazir K. Alston, the film is a retelling of what occurred on May 31-June 1, 1921, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and highlights the untold stories of the successful Black men and Black women entrepreneurs. The film also highlights one of the most prominent business districts in the country, “Black Wall Street,” and details how Black business owners were able to sustain ownership and achieve great success during this period of segregation in Tulsa.
Film: 'Juneteenth: A Fierce Urgency Celebration!'
Saturday, June 19, beginning at 7:30 p.m. and available on demand through June 21. A virtual event, with free admission.
Multigenre artist, activist and historian Michael Mwenso, host of the monthly “Meeting the Moment” virtual program, will host the one-hour film 'Juneteenth: A Fierce Urgency Celebration!', which will feature a variety of Black artists, organizations and Penn State faculty sharing performances, reflections and historical context.
Produced by the center in partnership with Electric Root, the film will be available on demand until 7:30 p.m. on Monday, June 21. Visit cpa.psu.edu/events/juneteenth2021 for more information.
Artists featured in the event include funk-jazz band Mwenso and The Shakes, dance troupe Urban Bush Women, creative innovator Shariffa Ali and vocalist Dashon Burton. Participating Penn State faculty members include J. Marlena Edwards, assistant professor of African-American studies and history; Charles Dumas, professor emeritus of the School of Theatre; and Aquila Kikora Franklin, associate professor of theater/dance. For more information, contact Amy Dupain Vashaw at adv1@psu.edu.