Juneteenth is a federal holiday, but it’s not as of yet a state one. Emphasis on the yet.
In 2022, President Joe Biden officially declared Juneteenth – which celebrates the end of slavery in the United States – as a federal holiday. In Rhode Island, the day has been recognized as an observance since 2012, but the day is not yet a state holiday.
That’s poised to change. A bill has already passed the Senate and as of June 12, when this article was written, is moving through the House of Representatives to make Juneteenth, also known as Emancipation Day or Freedom Day, a state holiday. That would mean the day is a paid day off for state employees.
Twenty-eight states already mark Juneteenth as a state holiday, according to the PEW Research Center.
Whether or not it’s a state holiday, there are plenty of ways to celebrate the day around Rhode Island. Here’s a look at what’s happening.
When: Thursday, June 15 4:30-7 p.m.
Where: Venture Cafe, 225 Dyer St., Providence
What to know: From 4:30 to 6 p.m. there will be a Black Business expo where Black entrepreneurs will showcase their work. From 5 to 6 p.m. there will be a streaming of “Juneteenth: 1865 – 2021” presented by The MUSE Foundation of Rhode Island. And then, from 6:15 to 7 p.m. there will be panel discussion with Amber Jackson of The Black Leaf, Beverly Ledbetter former Chief Legal Officer at Brown University, Julia Broome owner of Kin Southern Table + Bar, and Pilar McCloud, CEO + Founder of a Sweet Creation Youth Organization, to talk about their definition of success and obstacles they’ve overcome.
When: Friday, June 16, 5 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Where: 71 Washington St., Providence
What to know: Kicking off the weekend, there will be food, cocktails, games and live entertainment by DJ Ladyruck, DJ Rukiz and DJ D Wun. Tickets are $5, and kids under 12 are free.
When: Friday, June 16, 7 p.m.
Where: Providence Career & Technical Academy, 41 Fricker St., Providence
What to know: Comedian D’Lai, who won the 2004 Vegas Star Search, will be coming to Providence for a show. Tickets start at $30.
When: Saturday, June 17, 10 a.m.
Where: Olney Street Baptist Church, 100 Olney St., Providence
What to know: This free walking tour, put on by RI Juneteenth, will take about an hour and a half. Guide Marco McWilliams will walk people through “the ways in which institutionalized legal, economic, and social power sought to circumscribe the lives of Black Rhode Islanders. A central theme of the tour is a discussion about formations of organized challenges to white settler supremacy in Rhode Island’s history,” according to the tour description.
When: Saturday, June 17, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Friends Meeting House, 234 West Main Road, Little Compton
What to Know: Honoring Juneteenth, the Little Compton Historical Society will offer its “If Jane Should Want to Be Sold” exhibit for one day. The exhibit, originally presented in 2016, is “based on Executive Director Marjory O’Toole’s research on the stories of Little Compton’s historic People of Color,” according to a press release. After seeing the exhibit, people can visit the Historical Society’s Wilbor House Museum, 548 West Main Road, or visit the memorial marker in the Old Burying Ground on the Commons that honors Little Compton’s enslaved people. It is located in the center of the last row, nearest Meetinghouse Lane. The event is free.
When: Saturday, June 17, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Providence Public Library, 150 Empire St., Providence
What to know: At the event, BLM RI will honor Weayonnoh Nelson-Davies, executive director of the Economic Progress Institute; Maria Lopes, the first Black Woman elected to the Rhode Island State Legislature; Eugenie Rose Belony, Providence Student Union co-director; Marcia Ranglin-Vassell, a former member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives (5th District); and Sharon “DJ Ladyruck” Ashley. “Caribbean Soul” food will be served ahead of the formal program starting. Tickets range from $25 to $100 per person.
When: Saturday, June 17, noon to 3 p.m.
Where: Dr. Jorge Alvarez High School, 375 Adelaide Ave., Providence
What to know: The RI Juneteenth event focuses on taking pride in the youth, with cultural readings, a book giveaway, music, face painting, crafts, pizza and ice cream with all of the toppings.
When: Saturday, June 17, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Where: The Salon, 57 Eddy St., Providence
What to know: This 21+ event is one location and two parties. Upstairs, DJ Real P and Baby Indiglo will be creating a high-energy, party vibe with a dash of R&B. Downstairs, DJ Corv and DJ AGreatness will be playing Afrobeats, Amapiano, Dancehall, Reggaeton and Dembow.
When: Sunday, June 18, noon to 9 p.m.
Where: Roger William Park, Temple to Music, Providence
What to know: The culminating event in a series by Juneteenth RI, this event is free, it’s family-friendly, and Kelly Price, a gospel singer, will be performing. It’s a day of pride, culture, commemoration and empowerment, according to organizers.
When: Sunday, June 18, 4 to 10 p.m.
Where: Revival Brewing, 50 Sims Ave., Providence
What to know: This block party has a $15 cover. There will be food, drinks, vendors, games and more.
When: June 18–19, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days
Where: Washington Square, Newport
Unrighteous traffick:Slavery in Rhode Island
What to know: Honoring Rhode Island’s first black regiment, there will be a colonial encampment of Continental soldiers, militia regiments, and Ladies of the Greene at this Juneteenth Celebration put on as a partnership between Rhode Island Slave History Medallions, the City of Newport, Newport Historical Society, and the Newport Middle Passage Port Marker Project. There will also be guest speakers and African and Indigenous dancers and drummers, children’s crafts, the Newport Artillery, and a food court.
When: Monday, June 19, noon
Where: Providence Performing Arts Center, 220 Weybossett St.
Black fraternities:This Black fraternity was rejected by Brown University. Now it’s celebrating 100 years
What to know: Featuring Ricardo Pitts-Wiley as the narrator, the JuneteenthRI Choir, storyteller Rachel Briggs, and PPAC’s house organist Peter Edwin Krasinski, this lunchtime concert is free and open to everyone.
If you know of a Juneteenth event that you think should be on this list, please emailklandeck@gannett.com with the relevant information.
