On Saturday, June 15, the University of Minnesota Twin Cities will host its third annual U of M Juneteenth Celebration from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in North Minneapolis.
This free block party and commemorative march — centering on the theme of We are the Noise: The Echoes of Our Ancestors — will feature Black vendors, speakers, workshops, poster showcases, storytellers, musicians, performers, DJs, roller skating, books, free food, free haircuts, art-making, a petting zoo, bouncy house, and more. The event will begin with a commemorative march at noon from the University’s at 2001 Plymouth Ave. N., where the outdoor block party will take place from noon to 5 p.m. .
“The Juneteenth Celebration at the University of Minnesota has garnered widespread support across our entire institution. From our leaders to our academic and administrative units, everyone has rallied behind this important initiative,” said Vice President for Equity and Diversity Mercedes Ramírez Fernández. “Our exceptional event organizer has brought together an extraordinary coalition of individuals. This collective effort transcends individual identities as we all recognize the significance of Black liberation. We approach this event with joy and enthusiasm, feeling the anticipation and excitement resonating throughout our campus communities.”
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“This year we will celebrate Juneteenth and Black futurity by uplifting the nuance and intersectionality of the Black experience — being one filled with disruption, reverberation, and amplification,” said event director Terresa Moses, an assistant professor and Director of Design Justice in the College of Design. “We want Juneteenth to create a space that supports the various identities in the Black community, amplifying all Black genders, sexualities, abilities, economic statuses, educational levels — those whose identities are the most marginalized of us. We will begin with a commemorative march for Black lives, a rose memorial, and a moment of silence. We will then move into live performances, fashion shows, giveaways, live screen-printing, workshops, roller skating, and a very engaging interactive kids zone.”
This event is presented by the University of Minnesota College of Design, the Office for Equity and Diversity, the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost, the Office of the President, and the Robert J. Jones Urban Research and Outreach-Engagement Center.
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