The Oklahoma Eagle Newswire
Join Tulsa Juneteenth Inc. and the Black Wall Street Chamber of Commerce for the 2021 Tulsa Juneteenth Festival June 16th – June 20th on Greenwood Ave. The Tulsa Juneteenth Festival is a free public event.
Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the end of slavery in the United States that took place on June 19th, 1865. Tulsa Juneteenth continues its annual festival in honor of this holiday. This year’s Tulsa Juneteenth Festival is an invitation to enjoy FREEDOM as African Americans. As Tulsa comes together in communal respite rooted in celebrating the rich cultural heritage and healing traditions that have shaped the joy of African Americans for centuries, Tulsa Juneteenth knows this time will unite the community and fuel hope for the future. Tulsa Juneteenth Inc. extends a warm welcome to the City of Tulsa and all nationalities to share in this time of celebration with us!
Juneteenth falls during a solemn Centennial Commemoration, grieving the single worst racial violence event in the history of America known as the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. Although the journey of mourning and honoring the Black Wall Street legacy will continue, Tulsa Juneteenth finds it important to offer the community a space to honor humanity apart from the work of defending it. Tulsa Juneteenth will take this time to be present and relish in the fullest expressions of FREEDOM.
The Tulsa Juneteenth Festival has prepared a 5-day festival of live entertainment, Art Exhibition, local market with over 40 plus businesses, 10 plus food trucks, Kids Zone and togetherness for people of all ages. The festival will take place June 16th – June 20th, 2021.
The celebration will commence on Wednesday, June 16th at Circle Cinema with a screening of Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson’s upcoming documentary, SUMMER OF SOUL (…OR, WHEN THE REVOLUTION COULD NOT BE TELEVISED. Join us on Thursday, June 17th on the Historical Greenwood Ave for the annual Tulsa Juneteenth Block Party featuring local performers and in support of the local businesses in the surrounding areas. Bring your families out to Movie in the Park for the screening of Red Tails on the festival lawn located on Greenwood Ave.
Friday, June 18th, the day will kick off with 40 plus innovative Black vendors, undeniable food and the “In Bloom”, Art Exhibit featuring Oklahoma native painters and photographers, Artists Talks and creative workshops. This year’s festival will present the Tulsa All Star Band, Charlie Redd, Omaley B, and The Wise Men to kick off Friday night with an infusion of soul-funk and RnB performances at 6pm on Greenwood Ave.
Saturday, June 19th, join Tulsa Juneteenth at 9am for the first Wellness Event, In Our Being, a time of healing through journaling, meditation and movement. As the day continues, Tulsa Juneteenth is excited to have Black Health Counts on site to offer free COVID-antibody testing and health screenings from 12pm – 4pm as well as pertinent health education for the community. The children are in for a fun-filled time of surprises at Kids Zone; a safe space curated with games, face painting, basketball, trivia, live mural installation, free Swag bags, and several health and education activities. The headliner for Saturday night is CAMEO! Cameo is an American Soul Funk group known for its 70’s hits Candy and Word Up and will put on an unforgettable show!
Sunday, the Tulsa Juneteenth Festival welcomes Pastor Michael Todd and Transformation Church to close out the 2021 Tulsa Juneteenth Festival with Church in the Park on Greenwood Ave beginning at 11am.
For additional information visit the Tulsa Juneteenth Festival website at www.tulsajuneteenth.org.
