AKRON, Ohio – Akron’s Juneteenth Celebration returns to Lock 3 on Sunday, June 1 from noon to 6 p.m.
Admission is free for the celebration, which includes small-group workshops and demonstrations led by individuals from throughout the community who are dedicated to preserving Black culture. Workshops and demonstrations will cover topics such as:
- Preserving Black culture
- Strengthening community voices
- Financial empowerment
- Traditional health practices
- Appreciating Black beauty
“Our theme, ‘Revisiting Our History: Reclaiming Our Community,’ is both a remembrance and a charge. Juneteenth calls us to honor the struggles of our past, embrace our collective responsibility and actively shape a future rooted in unity, healing and Black excellence. By reclaiming our community, we restore pride, deepen connection and affirm our power to build what comes next,” Juneteenth planning committee Co-chair Ebony Hill said in a statement.
Event highlights also include spoken word, storytelling and African dance performances, educational crafts and live musical acts on the Maynard Performance Pavilion. Retail and food vendors will offer items for sale in Lock 3.
The 2025 Downtown Akron Juneteenth Celebration is presented by the Downtown Akron Partnership. The event is supported by the city of Akron, Lock 3, the Summit County Prosecutor’s Office, the Knight Foundation, Ohio Arts Council, Akron Community Foundation, Akron Civic Commons and the GAR Foundation.
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