Detroit NAACP Marks 145th Juneteenth Festivities
DETROIT, MI – The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History is giving a special nod to active-duty military men and women at its 145th Juneteenth Celebration to be held on the Museum grounds, 315 E. Warren in Detroit’s Cultural Center, on June 19 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Although the annual Juneteenth festivities are free and open to the public, access to the Museum’s exhibitions is not, but members of the U.S. military with proper identification will be given free passes to tour the exhibits within the internationally recognized institution.
Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of slavery’s end in the United States. The observance of June 19 as the African American Emancipation Day began in Galveston, Texas in 1865. Today, Juneteenth symbolizes overcoming seemingly insurmountable obstacles, the pursuit of knowledge and the determination to achieve greatness.
This year’s celebration, hosted by the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History Women’s Committee, will be a “block party” for the whole family to enjoy, complete with food, entertainment and games, including: a 10:30 a.m. parade featuring the Michigan Black Horsemen, the Buffalo Soldiers and Tuskegee Airmen; a basketball shoot around, free throw and slam dunk contests; arts & crafts; face painting; Princess Presto from Detroit Public Television’s “Super Why” and PAWS, the official mascot of the Detroit Tigers; a blood drive by the American Red Cross; and a host of vendors.
The 145th Juneteenth Celebration is being sponsored by State Farm Insurance Group, Comerica Bank, The Detroit Branch of the NAACP and Tim Horton’s.
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CONTACT: Lisa E. Calvin
(313) 208-2243
