Celebrate Juneteenth in Fort Worth with a Festival of Freedom

T“The people of Texas are informed that in accordance with a Proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves…” - General Gordan Granger On June 19, 1865, General Granger administered General Order No. 3 from

Galveston, Texas as a reinforcement of

President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation. After 157 years, “Juneteenth,” a portmanteau of June and 19th, remains a special date, and has since expanded to an international celebration of

African American freedom and the Black experience. On June 17, 2021, President

Joe Biden invited Fort Worth native Opal

Lee to the Juneteenth bill signing. Vice

President Kamala Harris clutched an elated Lee’s hand as Juneteenth was officially declared a national holiday. Because of these associations, all eyes are on Fort Worth. Jim Austin, owner

of Austin Company Commercial Real Estate, pillar of the community, and co-

founder of the National Multicultural Western Heritage Foundation and Museum with his wife Gloria, has created a robust series of celebratory events to commemorate the holiday.

The fun kicks off with a Mega-Mixer on Wednesday, June 15, at 5:30 p.m. All are welcome at Troy’s inside Arlington’s Texas Live! for an opportunity to meet like-minded professionals, enrich relationships, and build your brand.

June 16 brings “TCC Legends Awards & Fundraiser Gala” at 7 p.m. at Downtown Cowtown at the Isis. The event honors individuals who’ve made a remarkable impact in Tarrant County in the realm of education, arts, business, politics, and more, and will feature music by saxophonist Joseph Vincelli.

If you’re tired, get a coffee, because the weekend is just revving up!

June 17 at 8 p.m. features Howard Hill’s Yester Day’s Children Show & Revue at Downtown Cowtown at the Isis, a “rip-roaring, foot stomping, Southern Soul and Blues Musical Revue.” The same venue is hosting a stand-out event on Saturday June 18 that features Austin’s cousin, entrepreneur, motivational speaker, and philanthropist Stedman Graham as he conducts two lectures, 1 p.m. for youths and 7 p.m. for adults. Graham is a bestselling author of self-help books and PR industry vet with a rich history working with high-profile clients like Maya Angelou and Winnie Mandela. You don’t want to miss this! Finish off your day by heading to Cowtown Coliseum for the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo, a touring exhibition of top talent in the Black rodeo community.

June 19 polishes off the weekend in a big way with the musical “Finally, Free at Last,” written and directed by Dion Hood.

Two showings are on offer, 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. at- you guessed it- Downtown Cowtown at the Isis!

The party continues on June 25 at the Juneteenth Health Expo hosted at The Warehouse at 1125 E. Berry St. Held from 11 a.m.-4 p.m., the fair will provide access to COVID screenings, booster shots, and health information specific to the Black community, and will also feature entertainment and door prizes.

Great news for those celebrating Juneteenth remotely: except for the lecture series, all events will be streamed online! Scan the QR code on the flyer above or on the magazine’s cover for more information on all events. You don’t want to miss out on this multi-day celebration of emancipation and the Black American experience.

“Free at last, free at last, thank God Almighty we are free at last.” - Martin Luther King, Jr.