Detroit Hosts Week-Long Juneteenth Celebration Begnning Monday

DETROIT, MI — The city is kicking off Juneteenth 2020 with a week-long series of virtual events and conversations celebrating Black culture and discussing important issues impacting the Black community.

The week of events begins Monday and concludes Friday with a Freedom Rally at Spirit Plaza, along with the unveiling of what city officials described as an uplifting message painted along a block-long span of Woodward Avenue leading to Spirit Plaza.

“Juneteenth is about more than a celebration of the day many African Americans first learned of the end of slavery; it’s an opportunity to start a needed dialogue to increase understanding and drive real change,” Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan said in a news release. “Throughout our nations’ history, laws and discriminatory policies were put in place and have done untold harm to people of color over generations. This year’s Juneteenth celebration comes at the right time for all of us to reflect and be reminded of the change that still needs to take place.”

All conversations will be live-streamed from the City of Detroit’s Facebook page and include Detroit’s subject experts.

Weekly Schedule

Juneteenth Kickoff Event, 6 p.m. Monday, June 15 — A curated discussion with Detroit Historian Jamon Jordan and City of Detroit Director of the Civil Rights, Inclusion & Opportunity, Charity Dean

Black Mental Health Matters, 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 16— Staying sane during two pandemics, COVID-19 and Racism, Q&A with Licensed Therapist Charnell Dortch

Live Workout, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 16 — Get fit with a live workout with certified fitness instructor Dr. Fitt Britt

Black Education Matters, 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 17 — A conversation on the importance of education and equity in the black community, Kristen Howard, DPSCD, Jennifer Smith, Closing The Gap Detroit, Erik Dean, Dean of Students at Cornerstone’s Washington-Parks Academy

Growing the Black Dollar, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 17 — Building generational wealth in the Black community, Wardell Littles, Financial Advisor, Ty Thorpe, Financial Advisor, Shannon Smith, Banker, Portia Powell, Banker

Criminal Justice Reform, 6 p.m. Thursday, June 18 — Fixing a broken system, Nicole Huddleston, Detroit Justice Center, Boyd White, Attorney, Richard Mack, Attorney

Black Business Matters, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 18 — Charles Nolan, Owner of Cutters Bar & Grill and Regina Gaines, Owner of House Pur Vin, facilitated by James Feagin, Places +PEOPLE

Street Art Unveiling, 10 a.m. Friday, June 19 — Juneteenth Freedom Rally and Street Art Unveiling at Spirit Plaza

Special video presentation, 2 p.m. Friday, June 19