Widely thought of as African American Independence Day, Juneteenth is a celebration of the official end of slavery. Today, Juneteenth serves as an opportunity to reflect on what progress is still needed, as well as to celebrate Black joy and community.  

Since emancipation and desegregation, generational poverty has been one of the institutionally supported chains that still bind Black people. Research shows that three-generation poverty is more than 16 times higher among Black adults than white adults. What are the barriers to Black economic equality today? What are some ways we can address these barriers and support building bridges out of poverty?  

If you’re in Central Alabama, consider visiting Birmingham Civil Rights Institute’s 2022 Juneteenth (Freedom Day) Celebration on Saturday, June 18. They will be hosting a series of exciting features for our community from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. This day-long jubilee will have something for everyone – including genealogy workshops, gallery tours, activities for kids and much more.   

We encourage you join us in our mission of eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all by signing up to be an advocate at bit.ly/YWadvocate. 

History 

Juneteenth, a meld of “June nineteenth,” marks a pivotal moment in the history of Americans whose ancestors were enslaved and later freed with the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth observes the last march of troops two years after that signing to free the slaves still in bondage in Texas.  

Observed by African Americans since the late 1800s, early celebrations of Juneteenth involved families getting together, observing prayer, sharing a meal and in some cases making the pilgrimage back to Galveston, Texas.  

Also called Emancipation Day, or Freedom Day, today folks still celebrate by bringing people together over food, with some cities holding larger events like parades and festivals. Since becoming a federal holiday in 2021, we see a record number of celebrations planned across the country.  

How to Participate?  

Here are a few ways you can commemorate this joyous occasion: 

Events 

Record Number of Juneteenth Celebrations Planned Across Birmingham Metro Area

9 ways to celebrate Juneteenth in Birmingham 

Movies 

1. If Beale Street Could Talk  
   • Trailer | Watch on Netflix and Sling  
2. Blackkklansman 
   • Trailer | Watch on Hulu 
3. Black Panther 
   • Trailer | Watch on Disney + 
4. Moonlight  
   • Trailer | Watch on Hulu 
5. Just Mercy  
   • Trailer | Watch on Hulu

Documentaries

1. Homecoming: A film by Beyonce
   • Trailer | Watch on Netflix 

2. 13th  
   • Trailer | Watch on Netflix  

3. Maya Angelou: I still Rise  
   • Trailer | Watch on Apple TV and Google Play  

4. Selma  
   • Trailer | Watch on Prime Video  

5. Free Angela and Political Prisoners  
   • Trailer | Watch on Amazon 

Songs  

1. “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised” – Gil Scott Heron | Listen  
2. “Say Her Name” – Janelle Monet | Listen  
3. “Freedom” – Beyonce | Listen  
4. “Brown Skin” – India.Arie | Listen  
5. “The People” – Common | Listen