Juneteenth is on Monday, June 19, commemorating the day slavery was finally abolished in the US, nearly two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation. Earlier in May of this year, Tennessee signed a bill moving it from a day of special observance to a legal holiday recognized by the state.
Here are ways you can honor the day and its history around town:
Informational events
Outdoor Storytime | Wednesday, June 14 | 10-10:30 a.m. | Southside Community Park, 3501 Central Ave. | Free | Experience a family-friendly outdoor storytime centered on celebrating Black voices + stories with the South Chattanooga Library.
Book Chatt Connection with African American Literature and Authors | Wednesday, June 14 | 10:30-11:30 a.m. | The Chattanooga Public Library, 1001 Broad St. | Enjoy an hour of discussion + listening to literature from Black voices.
Juneteenth Art Museum | Wednesday, June 14-Thursday, June 15 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Avondale Library, 1305 Dodson Ave. | Free | Make Juneteenth art for the library + see a special display of photographs of Black-owned businesses in Chattanooga’s history on loan from City Hall.
Note: The Chattanooga Public Library will host Juneteenth programming all month long at its various branches — check out the full list.
Black in Appalachia | Thursday, June 15 | 6 p.m. | Stove Works, 1250 E. 13th St. | Free, donations encouraged | Learn about the history of Emancipation Celebrations across Appalachia + how the African American communities contributed to the culture in the mountains. Bonus: Stove Works will have the exhibit “Y’all Don’t Hear Me: The Black Appalachia” on display now through Saturday, July 8.
Scratching Your Roots Workshop | Saturday, June 17 | 10 a.m. | The Chattanooga Public Library, 1001 Broad St. | Free | Find out how to preserve family treasures + learn how to join Chattanooga’s first and only Black Genealogy Society.
Last year’s Legacy Music Festival was a tribute to the Harlem Cultural Festival.
Photo by @chattblackartsfestival
Festivals + arts
Juba Dance Ensemble | Friday, June 16 | 7 p.m. | Chattanooga Theatre Centre, 400 River St. | $0-$25 | Take a “journey through the history of dance created by Black people” + listen to a panel discussion with the dancers after.
Juneteenth Freedom Walk + Run | Saturday, June 17 | 8 a.m. | Hubert Fry Center, 4301 Amnicola Hwy. | $35-$70 | Honor Opal Lee, the activist who in 2016 walked from her home in Fort Worth, TX, to the nation’s capital in an effort to get Juneteenth named a national holiday.
Katherine Dunham Juba Dance Festival Workshops | Saturday, June 17 | Times Vary | Chattanooga Theatre Centre, 400 River St. | $15-$50 | Learn different types of dances that connect with the African American culture by members of the Juba Dance Ensemble.
Juneteenth Freedom Celebration | Saturday, June 17 | 12-6:30 p.m. | Bessie Smith Cultural Center, 200 E. MLK Blvd. | Free+ | Get free museum admission + watch a documentary over Juneteenth, plus a full day of live music, local vendors, and more.
Southside Juneteenth Jubilee | Saturday, June 17 | 1-4 p.m. | The Bethlehem Center, 200 W. 38th St. | Free+, RSVP | Join the folks at The Bethlehem Center for a day full of vendors + activities.
Legacy Music Festival | Saturday, June 17 | 8 p.m. | Miller Park, 910 Market St. | Free | Spend an evening listening to local Black artists + jazz guitarist Eric Essix.
Oscar Michaux Black Film Fesival | Monday, June 19 | 5-9 p.m. | Walker Theater, 399 McCallie Ave. | Free, RSVP | Join city officials and community members for a Juneteenth ceremony + a film festival showcasing Black filmmakers.
