Ann Arbor Times

Eastern Michigan University will host a celebration of Black history, culture, and civic engagement on June 19 in honor of Juneteenth. The event commemorates the day in 1865 when enslaved individuals in Galveston, Texas, were informed of their freedom.

The celebration begins at noon with a hybrid event featuring guest speaker Kristianna Smith. Smith will lead an experience that uses music to explore themes of freedom, justice, and self-awareness. The event is open to the EMU community and offers a virtual option for those who register online.

Sariah Metcalfe, an EMU program coordinator, emphasized the importance of educational institutions providing opportunities to explore history and culture: “Most often, enslaved individuals were denied access to literacy and education, which is why for me it is so valuable for educational institutions to create opportunities for students, staff, and faculty to explore history and culture.”

From 3 p.m., there will be a public panel discussion on liberation and political engagement within the African American community. Victor Okafor from Africology and African American Studies at EMU will lead this session titled "The Future of Black Politics in America Revisited." Attendees can engage with panelists during a Q&A session focused on civic participation and the relevance of Juneteenth today.

Okafor noted the significance of the panel topic: “This Juneteenth panel topic highlights our university's active engagement with civic issues of the day.” He also remarked on the university's commitment to inclusive education.

Eastern Michigan University was founded in 1849 as Michigan's second oldest public university. It serves over 13,000 students across various disciplines through its colleges. For more information about Eastern Michigan University or to stay updated on news and announcements, visit EMU Today.