Juneteenth is… an annual commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States. Though the Emancipation Proclamation freeing slaves was signed January 1, 1863, enslaved African Americans in Galveston Bay, Texas learned of their freedom from the Union Army, June 19, 1865, after the Emancipation Proclamation was announced. Juneteenth is the longest standing African American holiday observed in the United States.
By Sandra Tharas
Brooklyn Children’s Museum (BCM) and community partners will host their annual Juneteenth celebration on Thursday, June 19 in Brower Park. The family-friendly event, themed “Still We Rise” in tribute to Maya Angelou’s powerful poem of resilience and determination, will feature live performances, interactive activities, and community engagement from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm.
The special commemoration will be presented in partnership with Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, Friends of Brower Park, Brooklyn Public Library – Brower Park Library, the Crown Heights North Association, Council Member Chi Osse, and Repair the World Brooklyn. Juneteenth offers the opportunity to acknowledge hard truths from U.S. history, celebrate the liberation of the enslaved ancestors of African Americans, and work together to advance racial healing, equity, and justice in our communities.
The celebration will take place at Shirley Chisholm Circle in Brower Park and is free and open to all. Brooklyn Children’s Museum will be open for regular admission from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, and free starting at 2:00 pm as part of its weekly Community Access Thursday hours, sponsored by Amazon.
From 11:00 am to 3:00 pm, visitors can enjoy:
-Performances by Brooklyn United Marching Band and Brooklyn Conservatory of Music
-Line dance workshops led by STooPS
-Bookmobile and storytime from Brooklyn Public Library
-Free book giveaway from Brooklyn Book Bodega
-Planting activities with Field Meridians
-A special bookmaking and quilting project led by Brooklyn Children’s Museum, inspired by the historic African American quilting community of Gee’s Bend
-Choral performances by the Brooklyn Interdenominational Choir
“Juneteenth is about celebrating freedom, family, and the importance of our resilient communities,” says Atiba T. Edwards, President and CEO of Brooklyn Children’s Museum. “At BCM, we love bringing people together. Our annual Juneteenth celebration in Brower Park is exactly what community looks like – people learning together, sharing experiences, and creating the kind of connections that make our neighborhood stronger.”
“The Friends of Brower Park is so grateful to have the support of our community partners to be able to bring back Juneteenth in Brower Park,” says Marva Henry, President of Friends of Brower Park.