ARTS FEATURE
Juneteenth Run & Ride
A GUIDE TO JUNETEENTH IN CHARLOTTE 25 ways to commemorate and celebrate
Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. Dating back to 1865, it was on June 19 that Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed in Galveston, Texas, with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free, two years after President Abraham Lincoln had pronounced as much with the Emancipation Proclamation. While Juneteenth has seen rises and dips in popularity nationwide over the last 150-plus years, many in the Black community have continued on in the traditional celebration of freedom, agency and education. It was only last year that Juneteenth was made a national holiday to be celebrated on June 19. Here’s a list of 25 ways you can observe Juneteenth in the Charlotte area.
Charlotte Pilgrimage Tours
Pg. 8 JUNE 1 - JUNE 14, 2022 - QCNERVE.COM
In 1998, the Interfaith Pilgrimage made its way through Charlotte on its journey from Boston to West Africa. Their goal was to re-create the slave trade routes — known as the Middle Passage — and in the process make stops at points of interest to pray for racial healing and atonement for the past institution of slavery. This professionally-guided motorized tour is a re-creation of their stop here, where they visited three existing slave cemeteries, a former slave church and over 50 other sites of Charlotte history. More: $18-32; various dates and times; charlottepilgrimagetour.com
Juneteenth of the Carolinas
A free multicultural event, now in its 25th year, that aims to examine the cultural heritage of enslaved Africans and their descendants through art, education and research. Events include a parade, heritage performances and music, a street festival in Plaza Midwood, drum circles and Sunday service. More: Free; June 16-19, times vary; House of Africa, 1215 Thomas Ave.; juneteenthofthecarolinas.com
Celebrate physical, mental and spiritual freedom by running 2-3.5 miles or biking 10-25 miles to earn a commemorative medal. Following the run and ride, there will be food and merchandise for purchase from Exposed Vegan and Renaldo’s Restaurant. More: $30; June 18, 7:30 a.m.; 1540 W. Blvd.; tinyurl.com/JuneteenthRunAndRide
Juneteenth on the Corridor
Juneteenth Celebration of Leadership and Excellence Workshop
Little Miss Melanin is a beauty, leadership and excellence camp for BIPOC girls from ages 3-18. Organizers aim to create a safe, fun and inspirational environment that inspires girls to be bold, brave and brilliant with a program that encourages them to take pride in their culture and heritage and cultivate a strong self-image. Each girl participates in workshops on leadership, S.T.E.A.M. careers, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, etiquette, pageantry, modeling, acting, dance, nutrition, wellness and art. More: $125, June 18, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; First Ward Elementary School, 715 N. Caldwell St.; tinyurl.com/ LittleMissMelanin
The third-annual Juneteenth festival in the Historic West End, themed“Celebrating and Educating: Black Liberation and Unity,” features performances by African dancers, Black musicians and storytellers, voter registration and education, children’s activities and health screenings. Juneteenth Spades Tournament Teams of two compete for a $200 cash prize playing More: Free; June 18, 1:30 p.m.; Senior Drive in the card game Spades, which has as central a role in University Park; tinyurl.com/WestEndJuneteenth Remember the Ancestors 5K African-American culture. The tournament is free to Community support is at the heart of every big social watch and there will be music, food and drinks. The Power of YOUth Juneteenth Teen change, every generational shift, and every big win for More: $20 per two-person team; June 16, 7 p.m.; Summit diversity and inclusivity. It starts locally, perhaps with Upscale Studio and Events, 9307 Monroe Road, Suite Attendees will hear from keynote speaker Demario small races with big missions, like Remember The B; tinyurl.com/JuneteenthSpades Baker, owner and founder of Nspire-Us Foundation, Ancestors 5k, that ultimately create a better tomorrow a nonprofit dedicated to mentoring and educating for all people. Melanin Parks, a nonprofit that aims to Juneteenth Charlotte Celebration underserved youth, and address related topics promote and improve diversity and inclusivity in the A weekend experience that includes performing arts, during a youth-led panel discussion. More: Free; Charlotte area, was built on the founding principle spoken word, live music, a community meditation June 18, noon; Carole Hoefener Center, 615 E. 6th that, “Together, we can make a change.” Remember and drum circle, an art walk, fashion show and after St.; pwrofyouthcharnc.eventbrite.com The Ancestors 5k is where that starts. The route passes hours rooftop events. The celebration aims to honor by four sites of historical significance in Fort Mill. the past by celebrating the freedom Black people Ada Jenkins Juneteenth Celebration More: $25 for kids, $35 for adults; June 18, 7:30 had before the period of slavery and all they’ve This family and career development center’s second a.m.; Steele Street Park, 600 Steele St., Fort Mill, SC; contributed to the world for the past 100,000 years. annual Juneteenth event will include slam poetry, https://tinyurl.com/MelaninParks More: Free; June 17-19, various times; Rendezvous performances, a keynote address, music, dancing, 704, 619 Anderson St.; juneteenthclt.info shopping, food trucks, a “Fun Zone” for kids and more. Fort Mill Juneteenth Celebration More: Free; June 18, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; Ada Jenkins Don’t want to run a race (or wake up before 8 a.m.)? Art After Dark: Freedom and Expression Center, 212 Gamble St., Davidson; adajenkins.org/ Get down to Steele Street Park for the party that Art After Dark is a celebration of Black Music Month events/juneteenth follows the race, featuring food, games, live music during Juneteenth weekend. Attendees can create a and family-friendly fun. collage and experiment with oil pastels during drop-in Charlotte Golfers Alliance Juneteenth Golf More: Free; June 18, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; Steele Street workshops; explore the latest exhibit, Billie Zangewa: Park, 600 Steele St., Fort Mill, SC; tinyurl.com/ Classic & Gala Thread for a Web Begun; and watch a specially curated The Charlotte Golfers Alliance is a nonprofit organization FortMillJuneteenth theatre performance and live concert that celebrates a founded in 2021 to unite golfers in the Charlotte region journey through decades of Black music. to celebrate and promote diversity in the game of golf. Belmont Juneteenth Celebration More: Free; June 17, 6 p.m.; Gantt Center, 551 S. The purpose of the 2nd Annual Juneteenth Golf Classic Elements of Empowerment, a group that aims to foster Tryon St.; ganttcenter.org and Gala is to gather golfers around the Charlotte region cultural awareness, acceptance, and preservation by in order to participate in one round of golf for a good educating, enriching, and empowering communities NC Juneteenth Festival through artistic cultural programs, presentations cause while celebrating the Juneteenth holiday. Titled “Educating, Empowering, Entertaining,” the More about the golf tournament: $250 per and events, is returning to in-person for this year’s 2022 North Carolina Juneteenth Festival features two-person team; June 18, 8:30 a.m.; Rocky River Juneteenth celebration, which is celebrating 10 years 40 Black-owned vendors as well as kids activities, Golf Club, 6900 Bruton Smith Blvd., Concord since it became the first such celebration in Gaston dance and music performances. More about the gala: $125 per person; June County. The all-day festival focuses on music, art and More: Free; June 18, 1 p.m.; Cabarrus Arena & 18, 6 p.m.; Hilton Charlotte Concord Golf Resort & culture as its key elements. Events Center, 4751 NC 49, Concord; tinyurl.com/ Spa, 5400 John Q. Hammons Drive NW, Concord; More: Free; June 18, 2-9:30 p.m.; Stowe NCJuneteenth Park, 24 S. Main St., Belmont; tinyurl.com/ charlottegolfersalliance.org/juneteenth BelmontJuneteenthCelebration
