Juneteenth
What is Juneteenth?
A nationally recognized holiday celebrated on 19 June to commemorate the emancipation of enslaved Black people in the US. First celebrated in Texas in 1865, directly after the Civil War, slaves were declared free under the terms of the 1862 Emancipation Proclamation.
Why is it called Juneteenth?
Juneteenth is a mix of the words June and nineteenth. You may have also seen this holiday be called Juneteenth Independence Day or Freedom Day.
CELEBRATING BLACK BUSINESS AND HIGHLIGHTING EVENTS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY
THE OMAHA FREEDOM FESTIVAL
Dates: Saturday, June 19, 2021 12pm-12am
Cost: General Admission is free from 12pm-6pm, evening concert prices here.
Location: Malcolm X Memorial Foundations’s Outdoor Amphitheater 3448, Evans St.
With the return of live events all across the country, the nonprofit Freedomtainment is hosting The Omaha Freedom Festival on June 19th, 2021 at the Malcolm X Memorial Foundation’s Outdoor Amphitheater located at 3448 Evans St. According to the nonprofit, “The Omaha Freedom Festival is hosted by Freedomtainment, a 501c3 non-profit organization located in North Omaha, Nebraska, and celebrates the Juneteenth holiday which honors the emancipation of those enslaved in the United States.” The purpose of the festival is to “educate, empower and entertain” the community about North Omaha culture while also bringing awareness to “local, social and business resources.”
The event features a full day of activities from 12pm-5:30pm, including family-friendly activities, keynote speakers and a vaccination station. The day is followed by a concert from 7pm-midnight.
TASTE OF NORTH OMAHA
Dates: Friday, June 18th 4pm til 9pm
Saturday, june 19th 12pm til 6pm:
Cost: Free to attend
Location: Eagles Nest Worship Center 5775 Sorensen Pkwy.
Taste of North Omaha is an annual event celebrating some of the best culinary treats and dishes within North Omaha. The free to attend event, located at Eagles Nest Worship Center at 5775 Sorensen Pkwy., was founded by Malcom E. Tiller. The indoor event, previously outdoor last year due to the pandemic, features plenty of food vendors and businesses selling their delicious dishes in an informal setting.
Tiller currently works for 100 Black Men of Omaha, Inc., an alliance of leading Black American men from various professions including community leaders, business executives, physicians, attorneys and more. Tiller said he created Taste of North Omaha to “create a platform for up and coming business centered around food but also include other businesses.”
Tiller also teamed up with P3 Consulting, LLC. to present the Taste of North Omaha Scholarship. Tiller said the scholarship “recognizes academically or career promising students from diverse backgrounds who often find that the financial requirements of postsecondary education are a major obstacle.”
HISTORICAL MARKER DEDICATION FOR WILL BROWN
Dates: Friday, June 18th at 11:30 a.m.
Location: north lawn of the Douglas County Courthouse
A ceremony to unveil the historical marker recognizing the lynching of Will Brown will be held on Friday, June 18 at 11:30 a.m. at the Douglas County Courthouse. The ceremony will be on the north side of the courthouse at 17th and Farnam (rain or shine).
The event is part of the Equal Justice Initiative's Community Remembrance Project. An EJI representative will speak at the event and recognize the finalists of a racial justice essay contest. The Omaha Community Council for Racial Justice and Reconciliation organized this event, a follow-up to the 100th anniversary events in 2019.
Reception with cake and punch to follow. Parking is on-street and at the parking garage on the corner of 19th and Harney. Bring a chair or plan to stand for the short program. Very limited seating will be available for those who need it.
Imani Murray Photo credit: Ariel Panowicz
GRAND OPENING OF ITAL VITAL LIVING:
Dates: Saturday, June 19th, from 10am to 6pm
Location: 2323 North 24th Street.
The grand opening of Ital Vital is Saturday June 19th, 2021. Shop owner Imani Murray opened Ital Vital Living after creating a YouTube channel focused on vegan-friendly cooking. After her cooking tutorials found success on YouTube, she “started actually selling juice and smoothies to others!” The colorful cuisines are sold as smoothie bowls and juices and offer a wide variety of flavors filled with multiple fruits and vegetables. According to Murray’s website, she’s excited to provide healthy, affordable options to everyone.
CULXR HOUSE JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION 2021
Dates: June 19th 5pm
Location: 3014 N 24th street
Culxr House, a creative hub that focuses on providing creatives a safe space to grow their skills, is hosting a day of celebrations on Juneteenth. Their space, located at 3014 N. 24th St., features art for sale by various local artists. The whole day features events including a bike ride. More information here.