Get ready to celebrate Juneteenth!
Why all Americans Should Honor Juneteenth
Celebrations in the Kalamazoo Area
Kalamazoo College Juneteenth Celebration
Friday, June 18th, 2 p.m.
Location: K-College Lower Quad
Thank you to everyone who registered for the Block Party! Registration for lunch is now closed. However, we encourage you to join us from 2 – 5 p.m. for music with O’Jamm, games with BAFSA and dancing to the sounds of DJ Chuck on the Quad.
Soul Artistry LLC (virtual)
Saturday, June 19, 2021, 1 – 3 pm
Livestreamed performances from the Mary Jane Stryker Theater at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum featuring youth poets, dancers, vocalists and a DJ ranging in age from 5 – 18 years old. Free on Facebook.
Black Arts & Cultural Center and Kalamazoo Public Library (virtual)
June 19, 2021, 1-3 p.m.
- 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. – Black and Underrepresented Businesses Video Compilation
Video compilation highlighting Black and other underrepresented businesses to promote their goods and services. - 1 – 2 p.m. – Youth Virtual Paint Party for grades 4 – 12
- 7 – 8 p.m. – Adult Virtual Paint Party
Juneteenth Freedom Day at Arcadia Creek Festival Site
Saturday, June 19, 12 – 6 p.m.
The event will feature musical performances, celebrate Black fathers and celebrate recent 2020-2021 graduates of 2 and 4 year colleges. This community commencement will begin at 4 p.m.
Juneteenth Basketball Tournament & Slam Dunk Contest
Saturday, June 19 at 10 a.m.
Location: Wings Event Center
This event will feature Doug Anderson, Kalamazoo native and Harlem Globetrotter. Advance tickets are $7 for children 12 and under, $15 for ages 13 and up. Tickets at the door will cost $10 for 12 and under and $20 for 13 and up. $5 of each ticket will go to Eliminating Racism & Creating/Celebrating Equity (ERACCE), Interfaith Strategy for Advocacy & Action in the Community (ISAAC) and Rootead.
Kalamazoo Nature Center
Address: 7000 N. Westnedge Ave. Kalamazoo, MI 49009
The Nature Center is offering free admission throughout the month of June as a way to celebrate freedom and share the healing and nourishment that nature can provide. For free admission, simply mention that you are there to honor Juneteenth.
KZOO Juneteenth
A collaborative celebration of Juneteenth with programming by WMU, Kalamazoo College, and other Kalamazoo area organizations.
Visit the KZOO Juneteenth website for their list of events.
Brandford Marsalis at the Kalamazoo State Theatre
Saturday, June 19 at 8:00 p.m.
Statewide Juneteenth Kickoff hosted by Emergent Justice
Friday, June 18 from 6 pm – 11 pm
Address: 804 W. North Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49007
Emergent Justice, PACCT, UPLift Kalamazoo, Urban Democracy FEAST, Urban Exposure Initiative, Fresh Start and Majyck Radio have partnered together to create a space of fellowship,celebration and sharing.
There will be content shared via Zoom from Detroit and Benton Harbor communities throughout the event. Performances from local artists, SkitzoMichigan and Kreative Kitty and Khadijah Brown, as well as children’s activities.
Featured documentary, Amend: The Fight for America (the first episode of the series) will be played once it is near dusk.
Amend: The Fight for America Trailer
Free PPE provided!
Amend Zoom Room Registration
The event will also be streamed FB live as well.
Minor Element: A Juneteenth Celebration (virtual)
Saturday, June 19 at 7 p.m.
Minor Element is an all-instrumental jazz fusion band from Battle Creek, Michigan. Originally a jazz trio, the group evolved over time to the diverse group of musicians it is today. As the band grew, so did their sound, pulling in elements of Jazz, Rock, Gospel, Fusion – basically anything that inspires them – to create their distinctive sound. Minor Element pride themselves on being music for the musician and the audience; not only can you hear the complexity in the original compositions, but you can find your groove too. This event is FREE but registration is required.
Juneteenth Jam – A Celebration of Freedom
Saturday, June 19, 3 – 6 p.m.
Address: Upjohn Park 1018 Walter Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
The Black Action Movement and WMU’s Black Student Union have come together to plan a Juneteenth event for the community! Come our and show out! There will be games, music, educational resources, and food…all FREE to you!
For more information contact: 734.489.9220 or bsuwmu1968@gmail.com
Celebrations by State
Select your state for a list of Juneteenth Celebration options.
Tip: If you aren’t seeing a celebration close enough to you in your state, be sure to search the nearest city in your area for local Juneteenth Celebrations.