Juneteenth is the national holiday commemorating the emancipation of the last group
of enslaved Africans, located in Texas. Coined as an amalgam of the month and the
date, and known as Freedom Day, June 19th marks the date that the last of the enslaved Africans in America were notified of
their freedom via the Emancipation Proclamation, which was signed over two years before,
on January 1, 1863. June 19 became a federal holiday in 2021, with several states
and regions honoring the date for the very first time that year. Long championed by
Opal Lee, a retired schoolteacher, Juneteenth is a celebration—a moment for Black
people to honor their transition from enslaved to free.
The Marcus Garvey Cultural Center, in collaboration with The University of Northern
Colorado, and powered by Chevron, invite you to attend and enjoy our Juneteenth Celebration!
This year’s theme is Juneteenth: A Family Reunion and was created to serve as a space and time where Black Northern Coloradans can
come together to celebrate liberation while also honoring a legacy of sacrifices made
while working towards freedom. While centering Black people and Black culture, we
welcome all cultures and identities to come together to celebrate and learn more about
the legacy of Juneteenth, and the work it took for this day to receive its rightful
recognition. This event is a moment in time designed to create and be in community
in a new and meaningful way.