Celebrate Juneteenth in Tempe
June 21 @ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm MST
by Carolyn Classen, blogger
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| “Celebrate JuneteenthJoin us Saturday, June 21, 2025 from 10 am – 4 pm at the Arizona Heritage Center Tempe for a powerful Juneteenth celebration featuring performances, storytelling, readings, and an afternoon genealogy workshop. Commemorate the day freedom was realized for many and reflect on what it means today. Admission is free, and all are welcome. We encourage attendees to register in advance at: https://bit.ly/4kw8qfC This year’s celebration, themed “What It Is, What It Was, What It Shall Be,” features: ● Live musical performances by Ms. Joyce “The Voice” Bailey ● A presentation on the town of Randolph ● Readings and discussions of Children’s literature with Dr. Neal Lester, Shamirrah Hill, and Erika Maxwell  ● Storytelling: Community and the Laing Family by AHS Special Projects Coordinator Todd Bailey ● Readings of historic documents, including Bill Ramsey’s reading of A Letter from Jourdon Anderson: A Freedman Writes His Former Owner ● An art exhibition Take me to the Water featuring Bruce Nelson ● Interactive genealogy workshops with ASU Library Black Collections and the Black Family Genealogy and History Society  The program reflects on the meaning of freedom–then and now–and commemorates the day in 1865 when news of emancipation finally reached enslaved people in Galveston, Texas. The event also highlights Arizona’s own Juneteenth traditions, from early 20th -century celebrations to its revival in the 1960s. Juneteenth is more than a moment–it’s a celebration of the Black community in Arizona and across the country. We encourage all to learn and discover the rich history of diversity we have in our state. Come celebrate with us. “  Arizona Heritage Center 1300 N. College Ave, Tempe, AZ 85281 Saturday, Jun 21, 2025 | 10 AM – 4 PM Register here: https://bit.ly/4kw8qfC |