Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, and Cel-Libertation Day, celebrates the Emancipation Proclamation of 1865. It is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the end to slavery in the United States. While much of our City is still under COVID-19 restrictions, our community celebrates in thoughtful walks, marches, and online, virtually. Here are a few ways to celebrate Juneteenth 2020 in New York, beginning with the One Million March.
Juneteenth 2020: One Million March ~ June 19
Join the coalition of activists across Manhattan, Brooklyn, The Bronx, Staten Island, & Queen to protest for the justice dignity and equity that Black Lives are owed.
The Juneteenth One Million March Around New York will take place on Friday, June 19th at Noon, meeting at City Hall Park on Chambers Street.
Juneteenth Protest & Event Schedule for June 19 via Bushwick Daily
Here are 90 ways to Show-Up in every borough.
Patricia Pates Eaton and Susheel Bibbs in Conversation with Roland Carter and Jacqueline Hairston ~ June 19th
Tune into African American Art Song Alliance on June 19th at 7pm eastern time for a Facebook Live event when Patricia Pates Eaton, Founder of Three on 3 Music, and Susheel Bibbs, acclaimed classical singer and filmmaker, will interview composers Roland Carter and Jacqueline Hairston, exploring the Solo Concert Spiritual. This event is produced by Canti Classics and The Living Heritage Foundation.
Juneteenth: Then and Now at BRIC ~ June 19
This Juneteenth, join BRIC TV in its virtual #BHeard Town Hall, where they will look at the state of freedom in Black communities as they grapple with COVID-19, benign neglect, and state violence. Panelists include Laurie Cumbo, Rosa Clemente and Robert Gangi – moderated by BRICTV Managing Editor, Brian Vines.
Join The Schomburg Center for Juneteenth: Creating Legacy in Contested Places ~ June 19
Zoom in with LIVE from the New York Public Library, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture for an online event examining the artful negotiations of African Americans in the aftermath of the Civil War and news of the 1863 Emancipation Proclamation finally reaching enslaved people in Galveston, Texas on June 19, 1865 – historically known as Juneteenth. Be sure to Register for this Free Event.
The Africa Center unveils ‘Black Lives Matter: New Window Installation & Tribute’ ~ Online, June 19
The Africa Center will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the installation of its new tribute to the #BLACKLIVESMATTER movement on the windows of Aliko Dangote Hall facing the intersection of Museum Mile and Harlem. The 45-foot building decal, filling windows of three floors, will face 5th Avenue and 110th Street, and includes the names of Black people who have been killed by police or who have died while being detained by law enforcement. Watch this program live on The Africa Center website, on Facebook and Instagram on Friday, June 19th at 10:00am.
Juneteenth Day of Dance on Summerstage ~ June 19
Celebrate the 155th anniversary of Juneteenth, the nationally celebrated commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States, with a digital day of dance. Tribute performances will be presented on SummerStage’s Instagram channel starting at 12pm
Juneteenth in St. Nicholas Park ~ June 20
Join the celebration on Saturday, June 20th in St. Nicholas Park at 135th Street from Noon to 7:00pm.
The 27th Annual Juneteenth Walk in Harlem ~ June 20
African American Day Parade Inc. welcomes all to join them for the 27th Annual Juneteenth Walk in Harlem. #AADPINC #Juneteenth
Village Preservation unveils African Americans History Tour Videos
The Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation (Village Preservation) unveiled two new free YouTube videos this week. They include African American History and Landmarks in Greenwich Village, the East Village and NoHo.
NYC Parks Department Celebrates Black Music Month!
NYC Parks Department celebrates Black Music Month with a playlist featuring homegrown artists. Ranging across the genres and generations, this collection of songs celebrates New York City’s brightest stars from Luther Vandross to Cardi B. Check out Parks inaugural playlist on Spotify.
Visit the National Museum of African American History & Culture ~ Online
Visit the National Museum of African American History & Culture and explore virtual exhibitions, online collections and educational resources, including “Talking About Race.”
Visit Digital Schomburg
Visit the Digital Division of The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, a division of the New York Public Library. Check out a few of the recent events at The Schomburg Center in Harlem.
Seneca Village Unearthed ~ Online
The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) announced the launch of Seneca Village Unearthed, an online exhibit and collection of artifacts from what was once New York City’s largest community of free African-American landowners. Seneca Village was located in what is now Central Park, a scenic landmark. Through this online exhibit and collection, the general public will for the first time have access to nearly 300 artifacts and get a glimpse of what life was like for Seneca villagers in the mid-19th century.
Take a Historic Harlem Walking Tour
Harlem-based tour company Welcome To Harlem originated in 2004 with tour guides who are born and raised in the neighborhood. Tours range from walking tours through historic neighborhoods to jamming jazz and gospel.
Check out BPM’s ’40 for 40 Media Game Changers
Black Public Media (BPM) is celebrating 40 years of showing the world that #blacklivesmatter by bringing Black content creators and their stories to the forefront for audiences across all screens.
Stop by “Harlem Canvas for Change” along 125th Street
The 125th Street Business Improvement District put out a call of artists (and artists at heart) to express your views and feelings in words and drawings on Thursday, June 5th. With donated art supples by local merchant, Blick, boarded up storefronts were turned into canvases. Walk by and take a look. Image above taken by Shawn Batey, filmmaker ~ Changing Face of Harlem.
Black Lives Matter Mural in Brooklyn!
June 14, 2020, Restoration Plaza, Brooklyn ~ Congressmen, artists and community unveiled Black Lives Matter mural across a block in Bedford-Stuyvesant.
Explore Victor Hugo Green & The Green Books Online
The Green Book, a guidebook for black Americans, was published by New York postal worker Victor Hugo Green from 1936 to 1966, during the Jim Crow era in America as a way for working-class African-Americans to pursue the American Dream of travel before and during the Civil Rights Movement. The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture houses the full digital collection of Green Books and other similar guides. They are available free online.
Visit Simone Leigh: Brick House on the High Line Plinth
As the High Line extends north, the new extended section known as the High Line Plinth unveiled its inaugural installation ~ Simone Leigh’s Brick House, seen from 10th Avenue at 30th Street.
Enjoy 24 beautiful pictures of Harlem in the mid-20th Century from BuzzFeed.
Read about ‘Black Scientists Who Changed the World‘ at The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.
We can’t end this post without the news that Governor Andrew Cuomo will propose making Juneteenth a New York State Holiday, with an executive order making Juneteenth a Holiday for State Employees this year, and proposing legislation to make Juneteenth a State Holiday beginning 2021.
We will continue to post events & activities as we receive them.
I live in Plattsburgh NY, 6-7 hours north. I want to take a bus to NYC for the protests for a couple days.. Untill I can’t take not sleeping because Hotels are too expensive for me. Where should I take a bus Too?
It is a tough time to visit. If you really feel compelled, plan to come for a day and sleep on the bus going and coming. Or check out the website Couchsurfing to see if anyone would be willing to spare you a place to stay overnight in exchange for you coming or helping them in some way. You can take a bus anywhere, but China town or Midtown are good starting points. Just be sure to protect yourself and others by wearing a mask and carrying an extra mask, hand sanitizer, and wet wipes. Bring a large bottle of water to refill since you will be out all day. Keep in mind that many stores won’t be open for bathroom breaks, and restaurants that are open won’t allow you inside, take out only. Best of luck.