The first documented Juneteenth celebration happened at a church.
It’s only right that churches continue to honor the day by celebrating freedom, educating, organizing and leading in the fight against racial injustice.
Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day and Emancipation Day, celebrates the day that enslaved black people in the United States were declared free on June 19, 1865. In the middle of a historical civil rights movement, the effects of the coronavirus pandemic do not have to stop the party.
No matter where you are or couldn’t be on Juneteenth, here’s a list of virtual events happening:
1. JusticeCon: A Path Towards Freedom
Time: All day starting at 9 a.m. ET
New York City’s renowned church, The Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral is pulling out all the stops with a free social justice conference called JusticeCon. The virtual conference features a who’s who of ministry, politics and activism including Vice President Joe Biden, politician Kamala Harris, activist Philip Agnew, Pastor Jamal Bryant and over 50 others.
A message on the event’s website makes it clear that its mission is justice, kindness and walking humbly with God.
“The double pandemics of COVID-19 and systemic racism permeate the soul of America. We Can’t Breathe,” the website states. “This moment requires a commitment to lift our collective voices to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God.”
The opening session begins at 9 a.m. with different events like cooking demonstrations and prophetic preaching happening in between sessions talking about the future of the civil rights movement, HBCUs, black women, and more taking place throughout the day. Things will wrap up with a kickback at 8:30 p.m. Interested? Click here to register.
2. Free To Be
Time: 10: a.m.- 3:30 p.m. CST
The Witness, a Black Christian Collective founded by author Jemar Tisby, has created a virtual conference called Free To Be that will feature pastors, spiritual leaders, historians, artisans and creatives from 10 a.m. CST to 3:30 p.m. CST.
In a promotional video for the event, The Witness Vice President Tyler Burns says the Free To Be Conference, “ means we’re being fully embodied as our black Christian selves, fully embodied in who God has created us to be.”
For more information about The Witness or to check out the event, click here.
3. The History of Juneteenth and Systemic Racism & Solutions
Time : 12 p.m.- 1 p.m. ET
If you have an hour to spare, why not learn more about the history of Juneteenth?
Dr. James C. Anyike, Pastor of Scott United Methodist Church in Indianapolis, Indiana will join Tammy L. Cooper, Black History Educator and College Professor to help you learn more about your history. The Zoom event is scheduled to be a, “conversation on the history of Juneteenth as well as a discussion on systemic racism and solutions.”
To register, click here.
4. What: “Juneteenth: The Past is the Prologue”
Time: 4 p.m. CST
If you’ve listened to the Truth’s Table Podcast, then you know why you should pull up to any discussion led by Philadelphia Theologian Ekemini Uwan a.k.a Sista Theology. Ekemini is teaming up with Chicago’s CityPoint Community Church for what organizers are describing as a “soul stirring message.”
The event will also give viewers the opportunity to participate in a Q&A interview with Ekemini. If you’re interested, you can head to CityPoint’s Instagram Live page at 4 p.m. CST.
Will you be tuning in to any of these digital events for Juneteenth? Let us know!