2023 MSU Juneteenth Celebration
Attend the third annual MSU Juneteenth Celebration on Friday, June 16, 2023, from 5 - 8 p.m. at the Breslin Center. Doors open at 4:30 p.m.
All are welcome to kick off MSU's Juneteenth Celebration 158 Years Later: Celebrating Progress by supporting the Black Wall Street Vendor Fair while enjoying free giveaways, food and photos with Sparty!
The commemoration features the multi-faceted musician and host Rodney Page, gospel music by Gregory D and Company, jazz music by the MSU College of Music, Idlewild Entertainment and more.
Event Details
Students, staff, faculty, alums and members of the local community are encouraged to RSVP to the celebration. There are activities for all ages. This event will not be livestreamed.
Menu
Food will be provided by MSU’s Kellogg Catering and local Black-owned business, Sweet Encounter.
- Greens – vegan
- Cornbread – vegan
- Mac and cheese – vegetarian
- Fried chicken
- Oven baked BBQ chicken
- Cauliflower curry
- Deviled eggs
- Sweet potato hand pies
- Red velvet cake
- Mini peach cobbler shooters
- Raspberry sorbet
- Red Kool-Aid
2023 MSU Juneteenth Celebration
158 Years Later: Celebrating Progress
Friday, June 16, 2023, 5 p.m.
Breslin Center
Featuring
Emcee: Rodney Page
Lift Every Voice and Sing: Ms. GeDeane Graham
Gospel music: Gregory D and Company
MSU College of Music: Jazz Quintet
Black Wall Street Vendor Fair
Juneteenth Artist Statement
Angela Solomon, MSU class of '24
Angela Solomon is an ambitious undergraduate student pursuing dual degrees in Broadcast Journalism and Political Science Pre-Law. Currently serving as the chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer for the Associated Students of Michigan State University, she actively works towards creating an inclusive campus environment. Angela's passion for her community extends to her internship with Michigan State Athletics, where she supports the women's basketball team by utilizing her skills in social media, graphic design and creative content generation. In the future, she has aspirations of attending law school and pursuing a legal career in sports and entertainment.
The collage, "A Summer of Freedom," captures the essence of Juneteenth, paying homage to its historical significance and the vibrant culture of the South.
At the center of the artwork, a magnificent fascinator or church hat takes prominence. These hats have deep roots in the Black community, symbolizing both elegance and resilience. They are often worn during religious services and special occasions, representing a sense of pride and identity. The fascinator serves as a focal point, embodying the strength and unity of the Black community.
Surrounding the hat, a collage of images reflects the spirit of Juneteenth. Pictures of community members celebrating and existing in happiness adorn the artwork. Smiling faces, laughter and vibrant colors capture the joyous atmosphere of the holiday. The collage is intentionally crafted to evoke a warm and inviting feeling, reminiscent of the hot summer sun that accompanies Juneteenth celebrations.
The colors used in the collage are carefully chosen to reflect the vibrancy and energy of Juneteenth celebrations. Bold hues of red which is the hue of the official poppy flower for Juneteenth. Yellow and orange dominate the artwork, mirroring the warmth of the summer season. The vibrant colors symbolize joy, energy and the unyielding spirit of the Black community.
About Juneteenth
On June 19, 1865, two-and-a-half years after the Emancipation Proclamation orders were given to free the over 250,000 African American slaves in Texas who had not yet been informed of the decree. Juneteenth, short for June nineteenth, is the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States.
A century and a half later, Juneteenth is not taught in schools or widely known. MSU recognizes the importance of celebrating the full history of the U.S. so that everyone receives the recognition they deserve as builders of a great nation.
How to Participate
- RSVP: Register to attend the event! Fill out the registration form
- Become a sponsor: The Juneteenth Planning Committee values its partnerships with community members. This program is a great opportunity to sustain our community engagement. A suggested donation of $1,000 is greatly appreciated and all sponsors will be listed on our website and at our events. Funds collected will go to help support the celebration. Download the sponsorship letter
- Black Wall Street Vendor Fair: The Juneteenth Planning Committee invites student entrepreneurs and local entrepreneurs to participate as vendors. Complete the vendor form
- Serve as a volunteer: The committee is looking for volunteers for the day to help with set-up, check-in, traffic direction, take-down and other activities. Sign up to volunteer
Community Events
(MSU and local)
MSU Libaries - Inspired Summer Reads: Afrofuturism and Black Speculative Fiction
MSU Libraries presents a selection of Afrofuturism and Black speculative fiction titles available for check-out at a display table near the Main Library's front entrance.
WKAR Afrofantastic Film Screening with Q&A
Championed by artists, scholars and activists around the world, Afrofuturism offers a tool kit for a better tomorrow. This documentary explores how the Afrofuturism movement is informing dynamic discussion about social practice, politics and the arts in the United States and around the world. This special WKAR Public Media screening includes panelist MSU Professor Julian Chambliss, who is featured in the Afrofantastic: The Transformative World of Afrofuturism documentary special.
Julian Chambliss, Professor of English and Val Berryman Curator at MSU Museum at MSU
Teresa Goforth, Director of Exhibitions at the MSU Museum
Olivia “Liv” Furman, non-binary womanist, artist, educator and researcher
Ytasha L. Womack, author, filmmaker, dancer and independent scholar
Lansing Juneteenth Celebration
The 19th Annual State of Michigan Juneteenth Freedom Day Recognition is at the Lansing Community College, Downtown Campus, Gannon Center Building (411 North Grand Avenue)
The parade will take place on Saturday, June 17 and will kick off at 11 a.m.
The starting point is J.W. Sexton High School, 102 S. McPherson Avenue, Lansing, Michigan.
Join us for this fun community event! The annual softball game will be played on Saturday, June 10 at Benjamin Davis Park from 2 - 4 p.m. In addition to the friendly rivalry of the game, there will be a tribute the Negro Leagues.
Meridian Freedom Fest Honoring Juneteenth
Delta Township Juneteenth Events
Founded by Dr. Khalid el-Hakim, the Black History 101 Mobile Museum is an award-winning collection of over 10,000 original artifacts of Black memorabilia dating from the trans-Atlantic slave trade era to hip-hop culture. Dr. el-Hakim has been called the “Schomburg of the Hip-Hop generation” because of his passionate commitment to carry on the rich tradition of the Black Museum Movement.
Brotha Earth is a five-piece band featuring three former touring members of legendary Motown Band, Rare Earth, with opener Tony Thompson. The Smoke N’ Pig BBQ Food Truck will be on hand from 6 - 9 p.m.
Mixed Flavors offers Blues/R&B/Soul
Smithsonian: National Museum of African American History and Culture
Dwandalyn R. Reece, NMAAHC’s associate director of humanities, and Krystal Klingenberg, the music curator for the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, will discuss how objects can expand our understanding of the ways African American music-making continues to shape and influence society. These stories will be accompanied by live music. Register.
MSU Museum is a Smithsonian affiliate museum
Wiki
Juneteenth - On June 19, 1865, two-and-a-half years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation and a couple of months after the end of the Civil War, newly posted Major General Gordon Granger issued orders to free the over 250,000 African American slaves in Galveston, Texas, who had not yet been informed of the new law. Juneteenth is considered the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of the enslavement of African Americans and Black people in the United States.
Although, Juneteenth has been celebrated since the late 1800s, it was not federally recognized as a national holiday until June 17, 2021, when President Joe Biden signed a bill officially designating June 19 as a federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery in America.
Afrofuturism - The cultural aesthetic, philosophy and movement that explores the intersection of the African/Black diaspora with the alternative visions and imaginations of Black liberation.
African/Black diaspora - The descendants and global community of Black West and Central Africans who were enslaved and shipped to the Americas via the Atlantic slave trade between the 16th and 19th centuries.
Black National Anthem - 'Lift Every Voice and Sing' (poetry and lyrics) by James Weldon Johnson
Black Wall Street - Also known as the Greenwood neighborhood in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where in the early 20th century African Americans created a self-sufficient prosperous business district that was destroyed in 1921 due to racial violence.
Green Book -The Green Book was a travel guidebook specifically designed for African American travelers during the era of racial segregation in the United States. View the MSU Green Book.
Harlem Renaissance - The Harlem Renaissance was an intellectual and cultural revival of African American music, dance, art, fashion, literature, theater, politics and scholarship centered in Harlem, Manhattan, New York City, spanning the 1920s and 1930s.
Idlewild - Idlewild, or the "Black Eden of Michigan," was one of the few resorts in the country where African Americans could safely vacation from 1912 through the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Freedom - the power or right to act, speak or think as one wants without restraint.
Liberation - securing equitable, social, economic and judicial rights.
Sponsors and Partners
Sponsors
We thank our many sponsors for contributing funds to support the MSU Juneteenth Celebration:
Associated Students of Michigan State University, Black Faculty, Staff and Administrators Association (BFSAA), Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network, Broad College of Business, Capital Area Transportation Authority (CATA), Chicano/Latino Studies, Clerical-Technical Union, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, College of Arts & Letters, College of Education, College of Engineering, Council of Graduate Students (COGS), College of Human Medicine, College of Natural Science, College of Nursing, College of Social Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of African American and African Studies, Department of History, Feldman Chevrolet, Gordon Food Service, Honors College, Human Resources, International Studies & Programs, James Madison College, Julian Samora Research Institute, Lyman Briggs College, MSU Alumni, MSU Libraries, Muslim Studies Program, Native American Institute, Office for Civil Rights and Title IX, Office for Institutional Diversity and Inclusion, Office of the Executive Vice President for Administration, Office of Research and Innovation, Prevention, Outreach and Education, Residential College in the Arts and Humanities, Student Life & Engagement, Summer Research Opportunities Program, The Graduate School, The Michael and Elaine Serling Institute for Jewish Studies and Modern Israel, The Office of the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education, Transfer Student Success Center, University Outreach and Engagement
Submit logos to mochidah@msu.edu
Partners
We thank representatives from units across campus who helped plan the MSU Juneteenth Celebration:
Black Alumni; Black Faculty, Staff and Administrators Association; Black Graduate Student Association; Black Students' Alliance; Broad College of Business; College of Engineering; College of Music; Council of Graduate Students; Matrix: The Center for Digital Humanities and Social Sciences; Neuroscience Program; Office of the Executive Vice President for Administration; The Graduate School; Transforming Theatre Ensemble; WKAR Public Media.
2023 Planning Committee Members
- Amanda Flores, Ph.D., Co-Chair and Senior Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, WKAR
- Antonio White, Co-Chair and Ph.D. Candidate, Neuroscience Program; President of the Black Graduate Student Association
- Tina Alonzo, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Administrator, Office of the Executive Vice President for Administration
- Yolanda Anderson, Ph.D., Academic Specialist, College of Engineering
- Melissa Del Rio, Chief of Staff, Graduate School
- Lynn Lammers, Artistic Coordinator, Transformative Theatre Ensemble
- Julie Sochay, Senior Director of Content, WKAR
- Michael Sundermann, Communications Director, College of Music
- Marquis Taylor, Program Coordinator, Broad College of Business
- Marshanda Smith, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Matrix: The Center for Digital Humanities & Social Sciences
Professional and Staff Support:
- Audrey Bentley, Senior Coordinator, Community Outreach, Office for Institutional Diversity and Inclusion
- Evette Chavez, Fiscal and Human Resources Officer, Office for Institutional Diversity and Inclusion
- Lisa Fuentes, Staff Assistant, Office for Institutional Diversity and Inclusion
- Henry Mochida, DEI Communications Manager II, Office for Institutional Diversity and Inclusion and University Communications
Communications
Download the promotional kit
Program coordinator: bentley@msu.edu
Communications contact: mochidah@msu.edu