How to Celebrate Juneteenth 2022 in Metro Detroit

Questlove juneteenth
Downtown Detroit Partnership and the Motown Museum are showing the documentary Summer of Soul at Campus Martius on June 16. Questlove, pictured above at the Motown Museum Museum, is the director of the film. // Photograph courtesy of Downtown Detroit Partnership

This year is the 157th anniversary of Juneteenth. Celebrated on June 19, the day commemorates the emancipation of enslaved Black Americans. Here’s how to observe the holiday in metro Detroit.

Summer of Soul Screening

Downtown Detroit Partnership and the Motown Museum are joining forces to present a pre-Juneteenth screening of the 2021 documentary Summer of Soul. The Oscar Award-winning film, directed by Questlove (who visited the Motown Museum in 2018), explores the history of the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival. The event runs from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and will kick off with activities, including music, a movie courtesy of the Motown Museum, and giveaways. Attendees are welcome to bring their own chairs or blankets. No cost. June 16. Campus Martius Park, 800 Woodward Ave., Detroit; downtowndetroit.org/events

H2BE’s 2nd Dearborn Juneteenth MS&R Arts Weekend

Community organization Homage to Black Excellence (H2BE) is hosting several events to celebrate Juneteenth this year. Three events are at the Dearborn Artspace Annex. They include a free discussion titled Truth and Reconciliation: Race and Policing of African Americans will be held tonight, the Art and Chocolate Block Party: Dearborn’s Largest Black Arts Exhibition on June 17, and the 2nd Annual Commemorative Juneteenth Mobility Stroll & Roll Prayer Breakfast on June 18. The celebration comes to a close on June 19 with the Juneteenth Celebration Parade, which begins at City Hall Park and includes the Dr. Martin Luther King Marching Band, Henry Ford College, Bike Dearborn, and more. No cost-$30. Through June 18. Dearborn Artspace Annex, 13615 Michigan Ave., Dearborn; and City Hall Park, 13615 Michigan Ave., Dearborn; eventbrite.com

Southfield Celebrates Juneteenth

The City of Southfield is presenting its Juneteenth celebration in partnership with several organizations. Events include a performance from Body Rhythm Dance Theatre Youth Troupe tonight at the Southfield Public Library; a June 17 talk, also at the library, with author and educator Jean Alicia Elster on the importance of collecting oral histories; and the Mayor’s Juneteenth Walk on June 18, starting at the Southfield Municipal Campus front circle. Then there’s the Southfield Parks & Recreation Juneteenth Celebration on June 18. Starting at noon on the Municipal Campus front lawn, the event will feature a Children’s Story Time, a special appearance from Black Cowboy L.C. Caldwell, a presentation from The Southfield Historical Society, a drumming workshop, and more. A Juneteenth webinar will be held on June 19, and a pitch event for startups and entrepreneurs takes place on June 22. No cost. Through June 22. Various locations; cityofsouthfield.com

Emagine Entertainment Juneteenth Film Festival

Since June 3, Emagine has been hosting its Juneteenth Film Festival. This week’s featured films are Uncle Drew and Coming 2 America. Next week, the theater will be showing Just Mercy and Sorry to Bother You. $5. Through June 24. Emagine Royal Oak, 200 N. Main St., Royal Oak; and The Riviera Powered by Emagine, 30170 Grand River Ave., Farmington Hills; emagine-entertainment.com

2022 WSU Juneteenth Closing Celebration

Wayne State University has been hosting Juneteenth events throughout the month. The program ends on June 17 with the 2022 WSU Juneteenth Closing Celebration. The public event begins with the Freedom March from the Wayne State Law School’s Damon J. Keith Center for Civil Rights to the university’s Gullen Mall. Attendees can then expect remarks from speakers as well as an African dance and drums performance and a networking event. June 17. Wayne State University Damon J. Keith Center for Civil Rights and Gullen Mall, Detroit; events.wayne.edu

Juneteenth Jubilee Detroit Freedom Weekend

This weekend-long celebration kicks off on June 17 with the Rhythm & Art block Party at Eastern Market Brewing Co. Festivities continue on June 18 with the Juneteenth Jubilee Stroll on the Livernois Avenue of Fashion. Then on June 19, the Juneteenth Freedom Fest will be held in Shed 5 at Eastern Market. No cost. June 17-19. Various locations; jubileeblockparty.wixsite.com

Juneteenth 2022 in the Heights

This local celebration will feature a petting zoo, bounce houses, food trucks, vendors, character entertainment, a rib contest, art contest, children’s crafts, and more. Guests can also enjoy live music from Brazeal Dennard Chorale, the IV Horsemen, Smoke Jones Detroit Band, and Raydio featuring Arnell Carmichael. No cost. June 18. Civic Center Park Madison Heights, 360 W. 13 Mile Road, Madison Heights; madisonheightsjuneteenth.com

Juneteenth Street Festival

Enjoy live music and a step show, pop-up shops, face painting, food, a pie-eating contest, a karaoke contest, and more at this street festival. The event is hosted by the organizations HEELS Group and Divine Order. No cost. June 18. North Saginaw Street between Pike Street and Lawrence, Pontiac; facebook.com

Juneteenth Jubilee Freedom Weekend

The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History is kicking off its Juneteenth events on June 18 with an Underground Railroad Treasure Hunt in partnership with the Michigan Underground Railroad Exploratory Collective. The hunt will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and it begins at the Gateway to Freedom sculpture. On June 19, the museum will welcome guests to its grounds to connect with organizations within the local Black community and to enjoy a showing of the new film We the People and the Spirits Soar concert. No cost. June 18 and June 19. Gateway to Freedom sculpture at the Riverwalk entrance to Hart Plaza, Detroit; and Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, 315 E. Warren Ave., Detroit; thewright.org

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