What is Juneteenth?
Historian Henry Louis Gates Jr. has written an excellent overview of the history of Juneteenth, first celebrated in 1880 by thirty-one people in Houston’s Fourth Ward. Sometimes called “Black Independence Day,” Juneteenth commemorates the belated emancipation of slaves who were freed only two and a half years after Abraham Lincoln’s proclamation — an emancipation denied until federal troops actually liberated the slave state of Texas on June 19, 1865. Juneteenth is now a state holiday in Massachusetts and a contender for a future federal holiday.
Juneteenth has long been celebrated throughout the country, informally and formally, and largely by African-Americans. But as America has slowly acknowledged the diversity of its people, Juneteenth has attracted celebrants from every walk of life — as it should be.
Here’s how the City of New Bedford is celebrating Juneteenth.
NAACP New Bedford
What: “2021 Juneteenth Celebration”
Where: NAACP New Bedford office, 95 Cedar Street, New Bedford, MA 02740
When: June 19, 12pm – 5pm
NAACP New Bedford Branch and Collective for Change, supported by a grant from Senator Montigny’s Children’s Equality & Empowerment Fund, join together for a day of community, celebration, and arts. Enjoy local vendors, food trucks, performances, crafts, and more!
WIN A TABLET ON JUNETEENTH!
HOW TO ENTER:
- Take a selfie while riding the Juneteenth Celebration Shuttle.
- Tag your Instagram photo with @naacpnewbedford and @buyblacknb – If you don’t tag us we won’t able to see your lovely selfie.
- Add the hashtag #JuneteenthNB2021 in your caption.
PRIZE:
We’ll scout out all your Instagram selfies taking the shuttle and repost to our own page. We’ll select one lucky winner to win a tablet. Winner announced at 5 PM at NAACP Juneteenth!
For more information contact Livia Fonseca at l.fonseca@ymail.com.
https://naacpnewbedford.org/2021/05/2021-juneteenth/
New Bedford Historical Society & Whaling National Historical Park
What: “Celebrate Freedom at the Jazz Wall”
Where: Abolition Row Park, 20 Seventh Street, New Bedford MA 02740
When: June 19, 2pm – 5pm
The New Bedford Historical Society and the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park are celebrating Juneteenth with a day of music, folk tales, arts and crafts. Re-enactors will be on hand to tell the stories of New Bedford residents who fought for an end to enslavement.
Join us at the inaugural concert at the Jazz Mural celebrating the legacy of local musicians during Juneteenth and Black Music Month. Playing the music of Rick Brito and others will be musicians Dino Govoni, Jim Robitaille, Bill Mele, and Chris Poudrier.
For more information contact Lee Blake at Bonneylee13@verizon.net or 508-979-8828.
https://www.facebook.com/NBHistory
BuyBlack New Bedford
What: “Buy Black NB ‘Black in Business’ Pop Up Outdoor Market”
Where: Rotch-Jones-Duff House, 396 County Street, New Bedford, MA 02740
When: 11am – 3pm
BuyBlackNB is hosting their very first outdoor event with a hand-selected diverse group of local vendors offering you an opportunity to find your next favorite product! Safely celebrate the summer and enjoy art, food, clothing, children’s entertainment and handmade goods! Shop a curated selection of local Black-owned businesses while enjoying music, giveaways, networking, and community building. For children there will be activities like a Father’s Day card creating station and glitter tattoos. All the way from Wakanda, Black Panther and Shuri are joining to sign autographs and providing entertainment that is fun for the whole family.
For more information contact Justina Perry at info@buyblacknb.com.
3rd Eye Unlimited
We welcome the Community into The Communal Space to experience this space that was created for YOU.
Enhancing the 5 Pillars of Hip-Hop and the Principles of Kwanzaa, our village will share Art, Music, Dance, Literature, History, Culture, and Community.
We invite you to meet the Curators and Cultivators of this unique BIPOC space and learn about the many ways to stay connected with us!
Family Vibes! Local Art for Sale!
All proceeds go back into keeping the doors open!
Doodles will be popping up with a CANDY BAR!
This intimate event is Covid-Cautios!
HAPPY JUNETEENTH!
https://www.facebook.com/events/818816355708091/
FREE Shuttle Bus
What: Free Shuttle bus service
Where: between Buy Black NB Event at Rotch-Jones-Duff house and NAACP New Bedford Branch leaves Rotch-Jones-Duff House
When: June 19, 12pm – 5pm
12pm – 3pm
Loop service between Buy Black NB Event at Rotch-Jones-Duff house and NAACP New Bedford Branch leaves Rotch-Jones-Duff House every fifteen minutes. Buy Black NB Event at Rotch-Jones-Duff House stop located at Madison Street entrance. NAACP New Bedford Branch stop located on Cedar Street.
5pm – 6pm (or until last passenger boards)
Loop service between NAACP New Bedford Branch and 3rd EyE Communal Space leaves NAACP New Bedford Branch every fifteen minutes. Communal Space stop located at the corner of Union Street and Pleasant Street.
For more information, download the shuttle map and schedule below.
