Vermont Business Magazine The Burlington Racial Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Office will be hosting its second annual Juneteenth celebration from June 17th to 19th. This year’s theme “Juneteenth: A Love Story” celebrates the love that the Black community shows even in the face of adversity.
“I am honored and privileged to continue former REIB Director Tyeastia Green’s mission by facilitating our second annual Juneteenth Celebration with the help of the wonderful REIB team and so many partners” shared event planner Casey “Jersey” Ellerby. “It is not only the love within the community but also the love outside the community that provides a foundation for our culture. Not just on Juneteenth but every day in Burlington we will continue to celebrate Black Liberation. So welcome to the second annual Juneteenth celebration, and join us in this love story.”
Events will spread across four main sites: City Hall Park, Roosevelt Park, Battery Park, and Waterfront Park. The longest day of celebration will be on Juneteenth day which, this year, aligns with Father’s Day. Several of this year’s programs will be dedicated to uplifting the Black fathers and celebrating them in ways they often aren’t. The Lake Champlain Mass Choir and Band will be returning for a second year to be featured at Sunday’s Gospel Brunch dedicated to Black Fathers and Father Figures in City Hall Park.
Angela Davis will deliver this year’s keynote during Saturday’s programming of “The Black Experience 2022” (BX22), produced in collaboration with nuwave Equity Corporation. Other events and programs from the weekend include the Black Artist Market, the Black Healing Village, a Kids Zone hosted by VPR and PBS, and a panel discussion on Black health with UVM Health Network. Storyteller Ferene Paris Meyer will be giving Sunday’s keynote address.
From June 16th-23rd at the Flynn Theater, the National Hip Hop Museum will be installing its “Hip-Hop’s Freshest Fashions” pop-up exhibit and honoring the writer and activist Alice Walker. The REIB will be collaborating with this organization to host a concert featuring three hip-hop legends: Poor Righteous Teachers, Jeru the Damaja, and ED O.G.
Throughout the day on June 19th, free food will be provided from local businesses which include Mulu’s Kitchen, Healthy Kingdom, Jamaican Supreme, and more.
Among many planning partners was OKAY!! OKAY!!, a Black-owned marketing and creative agency based in Burlington. “As a long-time Burlingtonian, Father, Founder, Freeman, and most importantly Afro-Latino, I’m proud of our community coming together to celebrate and recognize our past, present, and future” shares OKAY!! OKAY!!’s Founder and Creative Director, Luis Calderin. “As a black-led business, I am grateful to the City for the trust and opportunity to help produce such a wonderful and nationally recognized day of celebration.”
Mayor Miro Weinberger shares “I am delighted Burlington was able to hold our first annual Juneteenth celebration last year. And I’m thrilled we are able to hold a multi-day event this summer to recognize Juneteenth. I encourage all Burlingtonians to set aside time on Juneteenth to reflect on our country’s history, including the portions that are painful, to help us work together to forge a more just future.”
To learn more about performances, events, and other Juneteenth details visit https://www.btvreib.com
June 10, 2022 BURLINGTON, VT
