Juneteenth -- also known as Jubilee Day or Freedom Day -- is a holiday commemorating the day the last African American slaves were notified of their freedom in 1865.
President Abraham Lincoln abolished slavery in 1863 when he issued the Emancipation Proclamation, but the news did not reach slaves in Texas until two years later at the end of the Civil War.
Recommended Videos
More: AP Explains: Juneteenth marks day last enslaved people freed
Juneteenth is observed on June 19 each year. See a list of 2021 Juneteenth events in Metro Detroit below.
Juneteenth Jubilee Stroll celebrates Detroit’s Black-owned businesses
The Juneteenth celebration kicks off with a stroll in Detroit along the Avenue of Fashion on Livernois, taking you through 46 Black-owned businesses offering discounts.
Several businesses are taking part in the Juneteenth Jubilee Stroll happening Saturday.
Dozens of Black-owned businesses are opening their doors to provide not only great sales, but an education about the day with music and artistry.
Click here to read more about the event.
Dearborn: Metro Detroit Juneteenth Mobility Stroll and Roll Celebration
The city of Dearborn is hosting its first annual Juneteenth Mobility Stroll and Roll Celebration on Saturday, June 19 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The stroll will begin at Michigan Avenue and Schaefer Road. The event is free, but people are being asked to register to attend.
“The journey of emancipation took two and a half years for BIPOC to hear ‘the call of freedom’ ringing together. Mobilizing on Michigan Avenue named after Lake Michigan, also known as US-12, the historic road that originates in Downtown Detroit and continues to Dearborn, Chicago and runs all the way to Aberdeen, Washington, together we will walk, bike, roll or stroll to re-enact the route of emancipation. The route will begin at Michigan Avenue and Schaefer unto the borders of Dearborn and Detroit crossover on Wyoming Avenue and end at City Hall Park. Rest stops are planned along the route and more.”
Click here for more information and to register.
The Healing Harvest to hold Juneteenth celebration
The Healing Harvest is holding a Juneteenth celebration in partnership with Motor City meats from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 19. The event will take place at the Coleman Center at 35351 Beverly Road in Romulus.
It will feature food trucks, vendors, games and more. Participants are encouraged to bring a lawn chair and enjoy entertainment by DJ Big Wes.
Detroit: Juneteenth festival
The city of Detroit is planning for its Juneteenth festival to take place in the same area where the Dabls MBAD African Bead Museum on Grand River Avenue located.
More: Juneteenth 2021: Here’s what Detroit has planned for the week
Detroit: Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History’s Juneteenth events
- Saturday, June 19: The museum will join the city of Detroit’s citywide treasure hunt across several historical sites, including at the museum.
Click here for more information about Juneteenth events on the museum’s website.
Madison Heights first Juneteenth Celebration
The event, hosted by the Madison Heights Human Relations and Equity Commission, will feature live music, food trucks, vendor booths, children’s activities, petting zoo, rib cooking competition, art contest, mobile COVID-19 vaccine site and an educational exhibit explaining the history of Juneteenth.
It will take place at Civic Center Park from noon to 5 p.m.
More information can be found here.
Mount Clemens: Greater Morning Star Baptist Church
The church, located at 87 Robertson Street in Mt. Clemens, will host a Juneteenth event that will feature spoke word, the “crowning of Mr. and Mrs. Juneteenth 2021 (senior citizens from local churches), skit ‘What did Juneteenth look like,’ singing, raffles, food truck, speech to the young people, vendors, soloist,” and a full a cappella choir, officials said.
- No specific time was given for the event.
The church will also reportedly be celebrating its 100-year anniversary.
Romulus -- The Healing Harvest
The Healing Harvest presents the 2nd annual Juneteenth event.
Message from organizers:
“Do you know what Juneteenth is? Please come out and help us celebrate. We will have games, black owned food trucks(food for purchase), black owned vendor selling merchandise, speakers and much more. Rep your black culture gear!! So bring a lawn chair and come enjoy!!”
For more information, go here.
West Bloomfield -- National Freedom Day event
A community-wide event commemorating Juneteenth National Freedom Day will take place Saturday, June 19, from 10 – 12 a.m. at West Bloomfield High School. Sponsored by the West Bloomfield/Lakes Area Democratic Club, the program includes storytelling, music, displays by local artists and refreshments.
A COVID-19 vaccination clinic will be open during the event for anyone age 12 and older at West Bloomfield Fire Station #1, 4601 Orchard Lake Road (next door to the high school).
Event partners include the West Bloomfield Library, West Bloomfield Parks & and Recreation, United We Walk, Road Masters Vette Club. Refreshments will be donated by Busch’s and Trader Joe’s.
More: Juneteenth special section