By: Dr. Sharice Bradford
Twwitter: @coachsharice7
IG: @dr._sharice

In schools across America we are taught that slavery ended on January 1, 1863, which is why African American gather in
churches around the country to celebrate Watch Service, to commemorate, as our ancestors did, freedom from slavery. For
many slaves this was not the case. This is the reason why in June African Americans celebrate Juneteenth. What is Juneteenth?

After the Emancipation Proclamation was signed, many states continued the practice of slavery. On June 19, 1865 in Galveston, Texas, General Granger of the Union Army informed slaves that they were indeed free. This was the birth of Juneteenth. Whether you knew the history of the day before today or are just learning about Juneteenth, here are some local Juneteenth celebrations you can attend.

Chicagoland Area Juneteenth Celebrations

June 7
BEN Juneteenth Event-Voices in the Park; 4:30-8 p.m. Memorial Park, 12804 Highland, Blue Island, IL;
Hosted By: GCR Black Employee Network; Free Event-Registration available via Eventbrite.

June 9
Juneteenth with the Windy City Chapter of the Links Inc.; 4-7 p.m.;
DuSable Museum of African American History, 740 E. 56th Place; Tickets $25 available via Eventbrite

June 15
7th Annual Juneteenth Celebration 10 a.m. -9 p.m.
Hosted By: The Black Mall;
National A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum
10406 S. Maryland Ave.

June 16
From Juneteenth to Wakanda 2-5 p.m.
Hosted By: Sankofa for the Earth and Sounding Bronzeville
Burnham Park; 1200-5700 S. Lake Shore Drive; Free and
Open to the Public

June 19
Juneteenth Celebration 2019-Hillside; 6 p.m.; Hosted By:
Eureka Lodge #64; Best Western Plus Chicago, Hillside;
4400 Frontage Rd., Hillside, IL; Tickets $30-$2500 available
via Eventbrite

June 22
2nd Annual Juneteenth Celebration @ The Commons
11a.m.-3 p.m.; Hosted by the Sweetwater Foundation
5749 S. Perry Ave.;
For more information: www.sweetwaterfoundation.com

June 22
Bolingbrook Juneteenth Community Festival; 12pm-midnight;
Hosted By: Bolingbrook Juneteenth Committee;
Bolingbrook Performing Arts Center
375 W. Briarcliff Road, Bolingbrook, IL.
Free Registration via Eventbrite

June 22
Westside Juneteenth Celebration; 1:30-5 p.m.;
3450 W. Lake Street
Free- Register via Eventbrite;
For More information contact: westsidejuneteenth@gmail.com

June 29
Juneteenth Family Celebration; 12-5 p.m.;
Hosted By: Burst Into Books; Dan Ryan Woods,
8700 S. Western Ave. (Grove #8);
Free Registration via Eventbrite

June 29
1st Juneteenth Celebration & Kickoff Dinner;
Hosted By: South Suburban Region Black Chamber of Commerce
Harrah’s Joliet Hotel and Casino,
151 N. Joliet Rd., Joliet, IL
Tickets $50-$5,000 available via Eventbrite
References: Juneteenth.com
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture: www.nypl.org