WJ_Juneteenth_061423

Broadview celebrates Black culture and freedom

Juneteenth Festival of Freedom will be hosted June 16-18

By AMARIS E. RODRIGUEZ Staff Reporter

“Black history is part of American history,” said Broadview Mayor Katrina R. Thompson, as she talked about the importance of the upcoming Juneteenth Festival of Freedom celebration.

The celebration starts on Friday June 16 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. with the Broadview Resident Meet and Greet, giving the feel of a traditional family reunion, said Thompson. On Saturday, June 17, the village will have its Festival of Freedom from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. with headliner West End 40, a band with a diverse blend of R&B, jazz, gospel and more. West End 40 will be taking the stage at around 5 p.m.

And on Sunday, the village will celebrate the 50 years of hip-hop, which includes a firework show and a performance from Soul to the Bone.

“June is Black Music Month,” Thompson said. “I love hip-hop music but it is not just hip-hop music that is going to be played. It is going to be all the songs that have been played throughout for African Americans and that is exciting because now we get to hear the Motown, or blues, or jazz.”

Sunday will also host a morning worship outside, which Thompson said will be a lot of fun for participants.

“It brings joy to my heart that we can celebrate something through music,” Thompson said.

Celebration is really the theme of the event, as dads will be able to celebrate Father’s Day on Sunday and enjoy a cigar and

whiskey tent at the event.

For Thompson, hosting the Juneteenth Festival is a way of acknowledging the Black culture and the contributions their history has on American history.

“It’s important that we educate and in-

Malcolm X. College celebrates Junete

Includes scholarship reception, panels, family enter tainment

By AMARIS E. RODRIGUEZ and IGOR STUDENKOV Staff Reporters

Malcolm X. Colle ge, 1900 W. Jackson Blvd., will hold a two-day Juneteenth celebration this weekend.

Now in its third year, the festival is organized by a group of Cook County commissioners, state and federal representatives and aldermen that mostly represent the South and West sides of Chicago, including Commissioner Dennis Deer (2nd), Alds. Monique Scott (24th) and Walter Burnett (27th) and Cong. Danny Davis (D-7).

On the evening of June 16, Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson will speak at the Juneteenth Scholarship Reception at the 540 W. Madison St. building rooftop. The evening’s program includes a showcase of youth leadership in the arts with African dance, a drumline, soulful music, the annual “Divine 9 roll call,” and great food.

On June 17, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the colle ge will host panel discussions, a resource fair and a blood drive. Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle will give opening remarks, followed by panels on health equity, criminal justice reform, Black en-

form and bring awareness to the Black community,” Thompson said. “We have a culture too and we should honor that and respect that space.”

As a Black leader, T hompson said it was important to her to continue to carry on the conversations relating to things that impact the Black community, including their culture and support for one another.

“As we look at how we recycle our own dollars in the Black community, how we embrace with love and kindness, how we support each other, not just in local business but for each other,” T hompson said. “In gover nment, in our education system. We should be talking about these things.”

T hompson, who will be at the event, said she is looking forward to supporting the local vendors and small businesses which will be participating in the festivities

“Entrepreneurship and economic development is a big deal and how we get our homebased businesses or our small business to the next level, we should be highlighting that,” Thompson said. “I am excited for that.”

Celebrations for the 3rd Annual Juneteenth Festival will take place at Schroeder Park with free parking available on the west side of the Target Store in Broadview Village Square.

trepreneurship and investing. A family entertainment event will kick at 3 p.m. with performances Kells the Artist, Bobbi Ponder, Sean Black, D’Moment and others.

The events are free and open to the public, but pre-re gistration is encouraged.

For more information, visit www.JuneteenthIllinois.com

g. A ick off s by er, d

Broadv iew Mayor Katrina ompson, Broadview Clerk Kevin McGrier and village trustees look on as Broadv iew rst responders raise the Juneteenth ag above Broadv iew Village Hall in 2022.

National and local talent to perform at Juneteenth Village Fest

It Takes A Village and community par tners bring free celebration to Anna and Frederick Douglass Park

By FRANCIA GARCIA HERNANDEZ Staff Reporter

On June 18, North Lawndale residents will see the local Anna and Frederick Douglass Park, 1401 S. Sacramento Dr., become a space to celebrate freedom culture, family and tradition. For its second year, The Juneteenth Village Fest, org anized by It Takes A Village Family of Schools with support of several sponsors, brings performances, family-friendly fun and a celebration of culture for local residents.

“We want everybody to really think of this as a family reunion that we look forward to do in Douglass Park every single year,” said Nakisha Harris Hobbs, CEO of It Takes A Village Family of Schools

The lineup of performers includes national and local talent who span genres, from hip hop to gospel to R&B and drumming, so all family members can find something they’ ll enjoy.

“On the local talent side, I would really urge everybody to be there to see Bella Bahhs,” Harris Hobbs said. Bahhs is a local hip hop artist, activist and educator from the West Side of Chicago.

“She just really embodies the spirit and energy of this festival, in terms of us as Black people really appreciat-

ing our culture, lifting up our culture and also reco gnizing the responsibility that we have to always be acting in the best interest of our community,” she said.

All participating artists will bring amazing performances, including Angie Stone, Marsha Ambrosius, BJ

The Chicago Kid, Kindred Family Soul, DJ Wayne Williams, South Shore Drill Team, Jesse White Tumblers, DJ Marka Flava, Redd’s Angelz, A-List Dance Team, Darius Parker & Vee Armstrong, Soul Children, Spellbinder Magician, DJ Marco, Muntu Drummers & Dancers and Libations Kamau Rashid.

“Talib Kweli has been an underground hip hop artist for the last 25 to 30 years,” Harris Hobbs said. “He always makes music that is a reflection of the current condition and possibilities for Black people and communities of color.”

The festival’s location is also a significant part of this celebration. Two years ago, Village Leadership Academy students, one of the schools in It Takes A Village Family of Schools, campaigned to change the name of the park from one honoring a slaveholding family to that of renowned abolitionists, Anna & Frederick Douglass.

“This Juneteenth Festival is really for us not only to pay homage to our history but also to pay homage to Village Leadership Academy who led the campaign to rename the Anna and Frederick Douglass Park,” Harris Hobbs said. Village Leadership Academy students will also have a perfor mance at the event.

The festival includes several activities for children and youth, including a petting zoo, a carnival area, inflatables, a youth DJ, face painting, g ames and a magic show. Social

service providers will also be at the event to connect families to resources, empower residents through education and information and perform health screenings, among other activities. The event’s sponsors include State Re p. La Shawn K. Ford (8th), Ald. Monique Scott (24th), the Illinois Department of Commerce, Amazon and Riot Fest, among others.

“We’ re proud to be a part of a community-based team that really is organizing a festival in Douglass Park that is for the local residents of Douglass Park,” Harris Hobbs said, adding the festival was org anized to provide a highquality experience for community members.

Local vendors participated at last year’s Juneteenth Village Fest.

PROVIDED/IT TAKES A VILL AG

FAMILY OF SCHOOLS Hip-hop artist Talib Kweli w ill per form at Douglass Park on June 18.

Forest Park’s pione ering Juneteenth Pool Party marks 14th year

Hoskins happy village embraced it from the get-go

By IGOR STUDENKOV Staff Reporter

When then-village commissioner Rory Hoskins launched the Juneteenth Pool Party in 2009, many Forest Parkers and west suburbanites in general had no idea what Juneteenth even was – but he said it was embraced pretty early on.

“A lot of the old families in Forest Park that didn’t necessarily know this tradition were very accepting,” Hoskins, now the mayor, said.

He grew up in Galveston, Texas, where on June 19, 1865, Union ar my general Gordon Granger announced that all those who had been enslaved were now free. In a 2021 documentary released by the Forest Park

Juneteenth Committee, the mayor recalled, growing up, he didn’t think much about the holiday. But after he moved away from Texas and started raising a family of his own, Hoskins realized it was something he wanted to share with his children.

He decided to hold the party at the Forest Park Aquatic Center, 7501 Harrison St., because public pools were some of the last public spaces to be integrated.

Hoskins recalled he got support from the Park District of Forest Park, Forest Park School District 91, Forest Park Bank officials and other elected officials, including fellow village commissioners. Cong. Danny Davis (D-7), who, having grown up in Arkansas, was familiar with the holiday, supported Hoskins bringing it to Forest Park.

“I think he was surprised to see it take root in Forest Park,” Hoskins said.

Since then, the pool party has become an annual tradition that only got inter rupted

in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, the party took place on June 10 starting at 6:45 p.m. The party featured music and free hot dogs and chips.

Hoskins said he was proud the pool party was reco gnized as the longest-running Juneteenth celebration in the western suburbs. He reflected that it was something that he wanted everyone in Forest Park to

embrace and take part in.

“It appeals that the community really embraced this tradition, and I think it means something to kids in this community, and to the parents,” Hoskins said. “Kids from all backgrounds can take part in this tradition that may be new to the [west suburban] re gion, but an old tradition in the country. It’s very beautiful. Very special.”

YourPassion1st celebrated Juneteenth early this year. Last Saturday, the Oak Park-based nonprofit held its fourth annual “Let’s Grow Together Holistic Wellness and Juneteenth Festival” in Melrose Park

The free festival was attended by Mayor Rory Hoskins of Forest Park, who took a turn in the dunk tank, as did Ana

Garcia Doyle, director of One Earth Film Festival. Oak Park Village President came to enjoy the festivities. Those who went to the festival were treated to music, performances, exercise classes and meditation and yoga sessions, while kids exerted some energy in inflatable bounce houses

— Stacey Sheridan

Kids play in the pool dur ing the Forest Park Juneteenth Pool party at the Forest Park Aquatic Center in 2022.

PHOTO S BY TODD A. BANNOR

Organizers Chuck Carter, Joshua Easter, Chris omas, Kathleen Brennan, Marjorie Adam Clark, Michelle Major, Caitlin Ry ndak, Cody Cotton, James Turner & Julius Spates at the Let’s Grow Together Holistic Wellness & Juneteenth Festival.

Oak Park Juneteenth still a community event

Village’s involvement has not overtaken community organizers

By STACEY SHERIDAN Senior Reporter

For the past six years, Oak Park has had a Juneteenth celebration because of Anthony Clark and Juanta Griffin. The two remain committed to seeing Oak Park celebrate the event but this year is slightly different as the Village of Oak Park has taken a more direct role in helping to plan the parade and community cookout.

“We want the village to come in and take responsibility for it so that it can be sustainable,” Griffin told Wednesday Journal.

The important tradition of celebrating Juneteenth should be maintained annually but the responsibility of planning such a major event for the entire community can lead to burn out if left to only two primary organizers, according to Griffin. Clark declined to comment. Having municipal involvement increases access to resources, so the celebration can continue being free to

the community.

For the 2023 parade and cookout this Sunday, Griffin and Clark worked directly with Dr. Danielle Walker, the village’s diversity, equity and inclusion officer. The village is also having a flag raising ceremony Wednesday at village hall. Together, Griffin said, the three struck up a balance between community involvement and gover nment support

“We wanted it to be an inclusive process where community members are involved in the planning and feel like there’s some ownership,” said Griffin. “We wanted to keep that.”

It was also important that no one felt left out of the process, particularly those community members that have volunteered their time to Juneteenth planning and celebrations over the years.

Inclusivity extends beyond the planning of Juneteenth. Griffin was adamant that the celebration is not just for Black Americans but for all people.

“As a nation we celebrate freedom,” she

said. “This is for everyone.”

The parade steps off at 11 a.m., Saturday morning, from Longfellow Park near Jackson Boulevard and will march on through Ridgeland Avenue to Augusta Street. The community cookout begins at 5 p.m. in Taylor Park, 400 Division St

Oak Park Juneteenth celebration sponsors:

Good Heart Work Smart Foundation

The Nova Collective Byline Bank

Race Conscious Dialogues

One Ear th Film Festival

Oak Park Climate Ac tion Network  Climate Ready Community Outreach

LifeSpan Counseling & Psychological Ser vices  Wintrust

JUNETEENTH EVENT S

Here’s Growing Community Media most complete list of Juneteenth celebrations across the Greater West Side. If missed your event this year tell us at Park.com’s Pitch Us a Story feature.

AUSTIN

Front Porch Art Center celebration

The celebration will be held at Columbus Park. 500 S. Central Ave., on June 17 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This fun, family-friendly event will feature music, food, dancing and a Juneteenth Art Exhibit, along with family art-making activities.

Trunk par ty for college-bound seniors

Graduating, college-bound seniors only. Must bring college acceptance letter. Party will be held at 304 N. Parkside Ave. on J une 19, noon to 5 p.m.

BROADVIE W

3rd Annual Festival of Freedom

Broadview is holding its 3rd annual Juneteenth celebration all weekend at Schroeder Park, 2600 S. 13th Ave. It will kick o on the evening of June 16 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., with the raising of the Juneteenth ag, followed by a community meetand-greet. The main event will take place on June 17 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and on June 18 from noon to 9 p.m. The festival will feature music, food and local vendors, as well as cultural exhibits chronicling Black history and struggles. The festivities will wrap up with a Sunday reworks show.

EAST GARFIELD PARK Music and Culture Celebration

Now in its fourth year, the annual Music and Culture Celebration will be held at 345 Ar t Galler y, 345 N. Kedzie Ave., on June 18 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. The celebration will feature local music acts, performance by poet Poetry Soulchild, wine curated by P. Michelle, the Music in My Soul art exhibit and local vendors. $10 cover, all proceeds go to the ar t center

OA K PARK

Juneteenth Father ’s Day Festival

Organized by Chicago’s Welcome to Fatherhood and Oak Park ’s King’s Kidz [sic] Academy, the par ty will take place in Oak Park at 847 Madison St. on June 17 from 11 a.m. It will feature food and drinks, games for kids and adults and vendor tables.

Juneteenth parade and cookout

tions, and businesses. Festivities star t on June 16 at Gar eld Park Gold Dome, 100 N. Central Park, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. for an invite- only Military Honors ceremony to honor veterans. Community members can nominate veterans to receive a special award. On June 17 and June 18, join cultural activities for families, workshops, live music and performances at Gar eld Park Music Cour t Circle from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. On Sunday, there will be a Father ’s Day Grill O to celebrate Father ’s Day.

FOREST PARK

Liberated: A Juneteenth Celebration

I Am Black Ar t organization will be at Forest Park Public Librar y’s Austin room, 7555 Jackson Blvd., on June 17 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will feature a writing circle, children’s books, arts and crafts, and re ec tion/open mic segment towards the end of the program. Oak Park ’s Chicago Chicken and Wa es will provide food, and there will be local vendors.

HILLSIDE

Juneteenth & Father ’s Day Festival

Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch is holding his annual Juneteenth and Father ’s Day Festi-

MAY WOOD

Juneteenth celebration and honorary street designation

Join the honorary street designation ceremony in honor of the late Mrs. Nor thica Hillery Stone, former CEO of the nonpro t Operation Uplift, on June 17, at 1 p.m., followed by a family-friendly Juneteenth celebration. The ceremony is taking place at Operation Uplift, at the intersection of S. 5th Ave. and St. Charles Road. The annual Juneteenth celebration features food, music and activities for all ages.

NORTH LAWNDALE

Celebrate Juneteenth with UCAN

Held at UCAN campus, 3605 W. Filmore St., on June 17 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., this year ’s celebration will feature vendors from the Black Wall Street on Roosevelt summer market, as well as performers, games, and food.

Juneteenth Freedom Party

Organized by Light Up Lawndale and sponsored by the Chicago Histor y Museum, the par ty will take place on June 19 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Douglass Park. The family-friendly celebration will feature music, fun and activities.

oin the Village of Oak Park in celebrating Juneteenth with a ceremonial ag raising, parade and community ookout. Come to the courtyard of Oak Park Village Hall, 123 Madison St., at 6 p.m., June 14, for the ag raising. he celebration continues at 11 a.m., June 18 with the annual parade, which steps o from Longfellow Park near Jackson Boulevard and then on to Ridgeland Avenue to Augusta Street. Following the parade, stop by the cookout at 5 p.m. in Taylor Park, 400 Division St.

RIVER FOREST Flag raising ceremony

River Forest marked Juneteenth with a ag raising ceremony on June 12. River Forest Public Librar y, 735 Lathrop Ave. Check out the Juneteenth traveling museum inside the librar y.

VIRTUAL

A Conversation on Health Equity with Dr. Ngozi Ezike

United Way of Chicago is holding a vir tual conversation with Dr. Ngozi Ezike on June 19 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Ezike is the rst Black woman president and CEO of Sinai Chicago hospital system and immediate past director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, where she helped the entire state navigate COVID-19. Ezike will re ect on her experiences and o er paths towards greater health equity for all Chicago neighborhoods. Visit https://liveunitedchicago. org/ to register for login information.

Compiled by Francia Garcia Hernandez, Amaris Rodriguez, Stacey Sheridan and Igor Studenkov