Posted on Tuesday, June 13, 2023
Members of the Texas Southern University community will honor Juneteenth at several events throughout the month on campus and in the Houston region.
Juneteenth celebrates the day that enslaved persons in Galveston, Texas, were notified of their freedom. On June 19, 1865, General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston and announced the final destruction of enslavement from a horrific period of sanctioned servitude to the pinnacle of human endeavors. It is a story of pride, resilience and determination that will always be of historical and spiritual significance. However, the news came almost two and a half years following the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863.
Texas Southern University alumnus and former state representative, the late Al Edwards (’66), initiated legislation to establish Juneteenth as a holiday in Texas. As a freshman state representative, Edwards, commonly known as “Mr. Juneteenth,” introduced a declaration of Emancipation Day in Texas as a legal holiday under House Bill 1016, which became effective on January 1, 1980.
With the opportunity to look back at the century-and-a-half journey of progress, today thousands pay homage to those who have gone before us, those who have paved the road toward freedom – many with their lives. Lest not we forget that we stand upon their shoulders. We, as a collective, from all walks of life, are a part of this victory. We celebrate freedom.
This year, the Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs will commemorate Juneteenth with the return of the TSU Juneteenth Statewide Calendar and Website. The website serves as a resource for Juneteenth events around the state of Texas, and to share events year-round that honor the Juneteenth spirit. To access the calendar, visit: https://www.tsu.edu/juneteenth/.
A listing of events either sponsored by or involving Texas Southern University is below:
Celebrate Freedom – Juneteenth Family Fun Day
Saturday, June 10, 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Emancipation Park, 3018 Emancipation Ave.
The event brings together seven historically Black communities from across Houston to celebrate the richness of the culture, paying homage to the pioneers of Juneteenth and experience jubilee in a way that is unique to black life and culture in the United States.
https://epconservancy.org/events/juneteenth-family-fun-day/
Juneteenth: Faith & Freedom – film
Wednesday, June 14, 10 a.m. to noon
Barbara Jordan/Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs, Room 114
The College of Liberal Arts and Behavioral Sciences and the Department of History, Geography and Economics to host screening of the documentary. Film Director Rasool Berry will participate virtually for a question-and-answer session following the viewing.
Second Annual Juneteenth Celebration, Symposium, and Reception
Wednesday, June 14, 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
The Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs is hosting its second annual Juneteenth Celebration, Symposium, and Reception featuring the TSU Jazz Ensemble. This event celebrates the Juneteenth holiday and the second year of the statewide Juneteenth calendar, initiated and created by the School of Public Affairs. Symposium panelists include Professor Mario M. Salas (University of Texas- San Antonio), Professor Dorris Robinson (Texas Southern University visiting political science professor, Founder of the Friends of Emancipation Park, and Publisher and Editor of Houston Sun Newspaper), and Mr. Bobby Scott (National President of the National Council of Urban League Guilds, and Trustee on the Board of the National Urban League).
Second Annual Juneteenth HBCU Fest
Wednesday-Friday, June 14-17
The second annual Juneteenth HBCU Alliance Weekend, organized by the Texas Southern University National Alumni Association Inc. and the Prairie View A&M National Alumni Association will offer a diverse range of activities focused on education, professional development, networking, Juneteenth History, and celebrating the rich legacy of contributions of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
https://www.tsunaa.com/juneteenth
Wells Fargo Presents Juneteenth: A Celebration of Freedom
Friday, June 16, 8:15 p.m.
This kicks off a weekend series of Juneteenth celebration concerts through music that features the sounds of R&B, Blues, and Hip-Hop music, paying tribute to legendary musicians such as Luther Vandross, Chuck Brown, Teena Marie, Marvin Gaye, Whitney Houston, 2Pac, and many more. Performers include the legendary Eddie Levert, the Ernest Walker Band, Spud Howard, Tamar Davis, J. Xavier, and more.
Mayor Sylvester Turner’s 10th Annual Acres Homes Juneteenth Parade
Saturday, June 17, 2023, 10 a.m.-noon; Acres Homes Multi-Service Center (6719 W. Montgomery)
KTSU 90.9FM will emcee the parade as the official radio sponsor of the 10th Annual Acres Homes Juneteenth Parade, hosted by Mayor Sylvester Turner.
https://www.houstontx.gov/specialevents/juneteenth.html
BLCK Market's 4th Annual Juneteenth Celebration
Saturday, June 17, 1 p.m.
GreenStreet, 1201 Fannin St.
BLCK Market's 4th Annual Juneteenth Celebration at GreenStreet is returning to downtown Houston. The local vendor market is brimming with black-owned small businesses celebrating Juneteenth with an afternoon of collective economics and a wide range of goods to shop. Limited free admission.
https://eventscalendar.365thingsinhouston.com/event/blck_markets_4th_annual_juneteenth_celebration
Change My Name – Houston Ebony Opera Guild
Saturday, June 17, 3 p.m.
Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, 500 Clay Street, free admission, donations requested
The chorus and soloists, under the artistic direction of Dr. Jason Oby, interim dean and professor with the Texas Southern University COLABS, will present a concert featuring the modern cantata written by Linda Twine, which features arrangements of a few well-known spirituals in addition to newly composed sections. The piece retells the harsh portions of the enslavement story from the slave ship to the auction block, all the way to “The Old Ship of Zion.”
Juneteenth Music Festival
Saturday, June 17, 3 – 10 p.m.
Emancipation Park, 3018 Emancipation Ave.
Held in Third Ward's historic Emancipation Park, this annual free concert offers a full day of jubilee with gospel artist V. Michael McKay, zydeco from Step Rideau, and legendary R&B performers Lakeside and the SOS Band.
Wells Fargo Presents Juneteenth: A Celebration of Freedom
Saturday, June 17, 3:15 – 5:15 p.m.
Miller Outdoor Theatre, 6000 Hermann Park Dr.
The Juneteenth celebration continues through music that features the sounds of Jazz and Inspirational music, paying tribute to legendary musicians such as Miles Davis, Joe Sample, Al Jarreau, Grover Washington Jr., Aretha Franklin, The Winans Family, and many more.
The music will showcase a mix of traditional and contemporary jazz and inspirational sounds, highlighting the rich cultural heritage of the African American community. This celebration will provide an opportunity for people to come together and reflect on the past, celebrate the present, and look towards a brighter future for all.
Wells Fargo Presents Juneteenth: A Celebration Of Freedom
Sunday, June 18, 2 – 10 p.m.
Avenida Houston, 1001 Avenida de las Americas
Sponsored in part by KTSU – 90.9 FM The Choice, the summer-long weekly music series continues with live music and more. Performers include: Matthew Hartnett and the Gumbo Allstars, Soultre featuring Kollett, The Goodfellaz, and more.
Juneteenth Celebration: “Juneteenth! Telling Our Story, Our Rich History”
Hosted by Houston Society for Change
Sunday, June 18, 5:00 p.m.
Congregation Beth Yeshurun, 4525 Beechnut St.
Juneteenth celebration with Juneteenth honoree Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, co-author of the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act. This celebration will also feature performances by the TSU Debate Team and national recording artist Brian Dunlap & 1Purpose.
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