CLEVELAND, Ohio – Cleveland Public Libraries have decided to help celebrate freedom this week with a series of programs in honor of June 15, the annual holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States.
On June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger informed the people of Texas that all enslaved people were free, laying the foundation for the holiday. In recent years, protests against police brutality and the deaths of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd have rekindled interest in the holiday.
The holiday falls on Saturday this year.
“It is a day of reflection, a day of renewal and a day full of pride. It’s a moment to appreciate the African American experience, ”said Dr. Sadie Winlock, Chief Equity, Education and Engagement Officer, Cleveland Public Library.
Winlock said the library and its branches came together to host several events on the topics of Juneteenth in June. The cultural education programs and activities will honor the day and hopefully stimulate conversation about the history and future of Black America.
Here are some of the events offered by CPL during the month. For a full list of Juneteenth events at the Cleveland Public Library or a recommended reading list, see cpl.org/Juneteenth.
- Making amends: A Path to Healing, with YWCA Greater Cleveland President and CEO Margaret Mitchell on June 17th at 4:30 pm
- Monumental Crossroads: Screening and discussion on June 18 at 10:00 a.m.
- America’s second Independence Day celebration, a garden meeting with poet and performer Siaara Freeman on June 18 at 2:00 p.m. in the Glenville branch.
- What’s free? which aims to “close the gap between corporate investors and community members” on June 19 at 12:00.
Twyla Turner, director of Inclusion & Leadership Education at Cleveland Public Library, said the libraries help create important conversations around the holiday.
“From police brutality to pandemic and health injustice, celebrating June 15th is more important than ever,” said Turner. “We cannot begin healing unless we acknowledge the pain and work together to create a fairer society.”
The topic of Juniteenth on the national holiday was also discussed. Texas was the first state to declare June thenth a public holiday in 1980 The New York Times.
Since then, nearly 47 states have officially recognized the day, including Ohio.
More recently, the Virginia Beach City Council becomes one Vote for a resolution Tuesday to Juneteenth a permanent city vacation. In Lancaster County, Commissioner Craig Lehman urges the community to recognize Juneteenth Add to the county’s official holiday list.
A law was passed in Cuyahoga County making June 10th a paid holiday for county workers.
The US Senate unanimously voted on Tuesday to make June 15 an official holiday. The measure now goes to the US house
Amid last year’s turmoil, businesses and school systems are also considering recognizing June 16. Tech and internet giants like Twitter and Square, Nike and even Target were among the few companies that offered their employees a paid day off.
Jeff Chambers, a spokesman for the Ohio School Boards Association, said schools didn’t have much control over including holidays on the legal list of “public holidays”. However, decisions about inclusion on the school calendar are ultimately made at the local level by each independent school district.
Here are some of the other events Cleveland has to offer residents looking to celebrate the holiday (please note: most events will be on Saturday, June 19th unless otherwise noted).
Cleveland Juniteenth Freedom Fest
Mall C, 12:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Perhaps the most significant event in town this year, Freedom Fest, is a collaboration between Ingenuity Cleveland and Karamu House. Enjoy live music and performances by Karamu House artists at Mall C downtown. The free outdoor event begins at 2 p.m. following the University Circle celebrations. The festivities include live art performances and black-owned shops including delicious food trucks. End the night with a fireworks finale.
Juniteenth in the Cleveland Cultural Gardens
Centennial Peace Plaza, 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Start celebrating Juneteenth at Centennial Peace Plaza in the Cultural Gardens with a free event that includes a reenactment of the Juneteenth event from 1865, student essay contest, spoken word performances, drill teams, drums and the great March includes.
Universitätskreis, 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Get an early bike ride through University Circle to commemorate Juneteenth. This family friendly event will highlight black posts in our back yard. Bring your bike and safety gear and register in advance.
Juniteenth celebration in BOXSPOT
10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Head to The BOXSPOT for a family-friendly event with spoken word, live entertainment and vendors.
Juneteenth Walking Tour: Another Struggle for Freedom
Public square, 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Learn about the contributions of African Americans to Cleveland’s pre- and post-Civil War growth on a 45-minute walking tour. The tours start at 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.
12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m., 17720 Buckeye Rd., Cleveland, OH, 44120
Join the Buckeye Summer Soul Series and NAACP Cleveland Branch for their anniversary celebration in June. The entire community is invited to enjoy live entertainment, freebies, food, and a traders’ village.
Midtown Glassworks, 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., 4701 Perkins Ave., Cleveland, OH, 44103
This unique event aims to celebrate the black tradition in a safe space that supports a black queer feminist framework. Created with Blk Punx Press, Drag From The Left, and The Community Care Collective, Mx. Juneteeth has drag performances, art, a live DJ, and food. The event is free, but a donation of $ 5 or $ 10 is recommended for non-black attendees. Blk Punx Press, an underground venue, supports emerging local artists in our areas.
7:30 pm – 10:30 pm, 21600 Shaker Blvd., Shaker Heights, OH, 44122
Five poets will perform Def Jam Poetry for Juneteenth in the Unitary Universalist Congregation of Cleveland. Poets hope to honor their ancestors with their rhythm and flow. Food is included in the $ 15 ticket price, and there will be a bar with soda, beer, and wine.
Juneteenth Caravan in the African American Cultural Garden
9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Celebrate June 15th with the Association of African American Cultural Gardens caravan. The car decoration starts at 9:00 a.m., followed by the caravan itself at 10:00 a.m.
Cleveland Dinners: Juneteenth – The Other Independence Day
June 27, 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Later in the month, the Cleveland Dinners group dedicates a meeting to the Other Independence Day. On June 27th, guests will be able to log in to participate in racial justice talks across Cleveland. Dinner groups and breakout rooms are set up with conscious diversity from age and race to geography and economy. There will also be a video presentation, African drummers and a spoken word performance. New participants are welcome, everyone can register online.
Ongoing exhibitions
Amanda Wicker: Black Fashion Design in Cleveland, Cleveland History Center starting June 10th
The Western Reserve Historical Society is opening a new exhibit on June 10th about Cleveland-based fashion designer and teacher Amanda Wicker. The brave black queen moved to Cleveland using only her tailoring skills in 1924 and built her legacy over six decades. Fifteen of her clothes are exhibited alongside archive photographs. Like many eminent professionals of the time, she was an activist in many black communities.
Greenwood: A Shattered American Dream, Karamu House
This month Karamu House is releasing the world premiere of “Greenwood: An American Dream Destroyed,” written by award-winning playwright Celeste Bedford Walker. It airs on Cleveland’s local PBS on Juneteenth. The full version will be available on stream from June 18 to mid-July 2021. This play tells the story of the Greenwood massacre and its aftermath through the eyes of a family.
This church was a station on the Underground Railroad – Station Hope – before slaves crossed Lake Erie into Canada, where freedom was guaranteed. It is said that slaves hid in the towers, waiting to see signals on the lake. Founded in 1816, St. John’s Episcopal Church is the oldest in the area, although it has moved a few times, almost burned down once, and was even devastated by a tornado. The site is now used for Station Hope events in conjunction with the Cleveland Public Theater.
Cozad-Bates House in University Circle is currently under renovation. The neighborhood was home to abolitionists who worked and helped refugees fleeing slavery to Canada. However, there is no evidence that the house itself was used as a shelter. Still, the space today shares information about Cleveland’s anti-slavery history with topics related to modern slavery in the United States, such as the 13th Amendment. The opening of the building is planned for summer 2021, but it can still be accessed virtually.
It was said all along: voices of anger, hope and empowerment
In the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, a relatively new exhibition focuses on musicians whose song and action focus on social justice and equality. “It’s Been Said All Along: Voices of Rage, Hope and Empowerment” shows artifacts from past and present musicians.
“A Bench By the Road” by the Toni Morrison Society
In 2009 the Toni Morrison Society dedicated its second Bench by the Road at the intersection of North Main and Lorain in Oberlin. The project is part of the Society’s initiative to commemorate unmarked sites in African American history. The area here is reminiscent of Toni’s birth and public school life, all in our town before she went to Howard University. Oberlin was also known for having hidden landmarks for refugees escaping slavery via the subway.
