(BLOOMINGTON) – The City of Bloomington Safe and Civil City Program and the Indiana University Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center (NMBCC) will host a Juneteenth celebration on Wednesday, June 19 from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Bryan Park (1001 South Henderson Street). An annual commemoration of African-American emancipation, the Juneteenth celebration brings together the IU and Bloomington communities for a casual gathering.
“Juneteenth is such an important moment in history that should be acknowledged and celebrated,” said Gloria L. Howell, NMBCC Associate Director. “The NMBCC is excited to partner with the Safe and Civil City program to honor Juneteenth and provide a space for the IU-Bloomington communities to access resources while engaging in some fun and fellowship.”
The celebration at Bryan Park will feature food, games, and music and is free and open to the public. Members of the Juneteenth 2019 planning committee will be on hand at the event to provide information and answer questions. Transportation to the event will be provided by IU Campus Bus from the stop outside the NMBCC (275 North Jordan) to Bryan Park. Shuttle services will run from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.
“The City is honored to co-host this celebration in support of the observance of Juneteenth,” said Mayor John Hamilton. “It’s a great occasion to connect with one another, while reflecting on African American history and honoring its role in our city’s — and our nation’s — cultural heritage.”
Juneteenth is the oldest known commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. On June 19, 1865, General Gordon Granger announced that slaves in Texas were free by order of the President of the United States. The announcement came two and a half years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation – which had become official January 1, 1863.
Although celebrated throughout the U.S. since 1865, Juneteenth has been more widely observed since the Civil Rights Movement, providing a platform for the promotion of diversity and an opportunity for education about the sacrifices and challenges endured by enslaved Americans in their struggle for freedom.
For additional information, contact Shatoyia Moss, City of Bloomington Safe and Civil City Director at mosss@bloomington.in.gov or by phone at 812.349.3559.
