June 19 is Juneteenth, a celebration of when Texas finally got word of the emancipation and all slaves were freed.
DYK? On May 18, the Chattanooga City Council unanimously passed ordinance No. 13671 , making Juneteenth an official paid holiday beginning in June 2022.
Podcast
Check out this podcast we recorded with guest Ric Morris, President + CEO of the Chattanooga Festival of Black Arts & Ideas .
Events
- Chattanooga Festival of Black Arts & Ideas | June 18-25 | Various events | See the full lineup of events here .
- Big 9 Street Food Grand Opening | Sat., June 19 | 11 a.m. | 611 E. MLK Blvd. | Free entry | Celebrate with live music + street food like smoked meat tacos topped with slaw, turkey ribs, and veggie options.
- Black Wall Street of Chattanooga | Sat., June 19 | 12-5 p.m. | Waterhouse Pavilion in Miller Park Plaza | Free entry | Buy some barbeque from BBQ Rowe while viewing a pictorial display of the Black Wall Street Historic Era and early African American Businesses in Chattanooga + watch PBS documentary, “Boss: The Black Business Experience.”
- Juneteenth Celebration | Sat., June 21 | 7-11 p.m.| The Renaissance Center, 630 North Ave., Rossville, GA | $55+ | Spend a night out with a live band, food, drink specials, and fireworks.
- Juneteenth Festival | Sat., June 19 | 12-5 p.m. | The Bethlehem Center, 200 West 38th St. | Free | Celebrate Juneteenth by supporting local Black entrepreneurs.
- Juneteenth Kickback | Sat., June 19 | 1-4 p.m. | The Chattery | Free | Dance to tunes from DJMCPRO, buy drinks from Giddy-Up Bar, play games, or just pull up and chill.
- Juneteenth Weekend Art Gallery | Sat., June 19 | 7-9 p.m. | Lil Mama’s Chicago Style Hoagy, 818 Georgia Ave. | Listen to jazz on Patten Parkway with Ron Griffin + view a gallery showcasing some of Chattanooga’s amazing artists to kickoff a Juneteenth weekend celebration.
- Miss Juneteenth Chattanooga | Sat., June 19 | 3 p.m. | Tivoli Theatre | $33+ | Enjoy this film accompanied by an orchestra.
- Neutral Ground Crawfish Boil & Juneteenth Anniversary Celebration | Sat., June 19 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Proof Bar and Incubator | $60 | Eat a meal of crawfish, boudin, smoked turkey necks, corn, potatoes, and mushrooms from Chef Kenyatta Ashford— ticket sales close on Thurs., June 17.
- Taste of Lil Mama’s | Sat., June 19 | 1-2:30 p.m. | Lil Mama’s Chicago Style Hoagy, 818 Georgia Ave. | $25 | Sip on some complimentary signature cocktails + sample some OG Lil Mama’s favorites and fresh Lil Mama’s creations before they make their way to the menu.
- Black Professionals Celebrating Juneteenth | Mon., June 21 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | The Hunter Museum | Free entry | Enjoy a dance performance; Power, Passion & Pose: Photographs by Ken Browar and Deborah’ networking games; and treats from Passion Pies.