Juneteenth Freedom Walk and documentary showing today

LLCC celebrates Juneteenth 1865. Freedom Walk.As a reminder, you’re invited to participate in the Juneteenth Freedom Walk today, June 19, at 8:30 a.m. Meet by the flag poles outside of A. Lincoln Commons for the start of this 1.25-mile walk around campus to commemorate the timeline of events leading up to Juneteenth’s Freedom Day. There will be a light continental breakfast afterward for participants.

In addition, showings of the documentary Juneteenth: Faith & Freedom (1 hour, 15 minutes) will take place today at 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. in the LLCC Library, Room 1126. Please visit the LLCC Library’s Juneteenth webpage for a preview of the documentary and other information on Juneteenth.

Juneteenth Freedom Walk, June 19

LLCC celebrates Juneteenth 1865. Freedom Walk.You’re invited to join the Juneteenth Committee on Monday, June 19, at 8:30 a.m. by the flag poles to participate in the Juneteenth Freedom Walk. This 1.25-mile walk around campus will commemorate the timeline of events leading up to Juneteenth’s Freedom Day. The committee is encouraging all departments to gather a team for the walk, include students and wear Juneteenth colors — red, green, gold or black. For participants, there will be a light continental breakfast afterward and some Juneteenth swag. The event is also open to the public.

Learn more about Juneteenth by visiting the LLCC Library’s Juneteenth webpage.

Juneteenth Freedom Walk, June 19

LLCC celebrates Juneteenth 1865. Freedom Walk.Please join the Juneteenth Committee on June 19 at 8:30 a.m. by the flag poles to participate in the Juneteenth Freedom Walk. This 1.25-mile walk around campus will commemorate the timeline of events leading up to Juneteenth’s Freedom Day. The committee is encouraging all departments to gather a team for the walk, include students and wear Juneteenth colors — red, green, gold or black.

What is Juneteenth? Visit the LLCC Library’s Juneteenth webpage.

We look forward to seeing you at the flag poles on June 19 at 8:30 a.m.! Also for participants, we will have a light continental breakfast afterward and some Juneteenth swag. The event is also open to the public.

Juneteenth historical spotlight

LLCC celebrates Juneteenth 1865. Freedom Day.Throughout June, the Juneteenth Committee has shared a series of historical spotlights to help increase knowledge about Juneteenth 1865. The last spotlight in this series discusses traditions.

“Juneteenth traditions vary across the U.S. As the tradition of Juneteenth spread across the U.S., different localities put different spins on celebrations. In southern states, the holiday is traditionally celebrated with oral histories and readings, ‘red soda water’ or strawberry soda, and barbecues. Some states serve up Marcus Garvey salad with red, green and black beans, in honor of the black nationalist. Rodeos have become part of the tradition in the southwest, while contests, concerts and parades are a common theme across the country.” (Source: https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/501680/12-things-you-might-not-know-about-juneteenth).

Learn more by visiting the LLCC Juneteenth Guide at https://library.llcc.edu/juneteenth.

Juneteenth book read roundtable and historical spotlight

LLCC celebrates Juneteenth 1865. Freedom Day.Roundtable discussions of “On Juneteenth” by Annette Gordon-Reed continue today, June 22, with a meeting at 1 p.m. in the Student Success Conference Room (can also attend via Zoom with meeting ID: 86326730510).

Historical spotlight

Chief Russell raising flag with NextLevel youth“The Juneteenth flag is full of symbolism. Juneteenth flag designer L.J. Graf packed lots of meaning into her design. The colors red, white and blue echo the American flag to symbolize that the enslaved people and their descendants were Americans. The star in the middle pays homage to Texas, while the bursting ‘new star’ on the ‘horizon’ of the red and blue fields represents a new freedom and a new people” (Source: https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/501680/12-things-you-might-not-know-about-juneteenth).

LLCC’s Juneteenth flag was raised on Thursday, June 16, with the help of youth in the NextLevel program.
LLCC police officers with NextLevel youth

Juneteenth celebration photos and historical spotlight

A Juneteenth celebration was held yesterday in A. Lincoln Commons from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event featured a welcome, reading of the Emancipation Proclamation, a Juneteenth display, trivia, music provided by D.J. Yinka and food from Gertrude’s Taste of Heaven by local caterer Lisa Johnson.

Roundtable discussions of “On Juneteenth” by Annette Gordon-Reed continue tomorrow, June 22, with a meeting at 1 p.m. in the Student Success Conference Room (can also attend via Zoom with meeting ID: 86326730510).

Juneteenth display featuring prominent individuals in black historyCandace Silas welcoming attendees to LLCC's Juneteenth celebrationBrandon Lewis reading the Emancipation ProclamationMiss Z sharing her story, with Kim WilsonVolunteers serving foodAttendees in line for soul foodSamples of soul food being served upJuneteenth trivia table
Members of the Juneteenth Committee in front of the Juneteenth backdrop

Historical spotlight

LLCC celebrates Juneteenth 1865. Freedom Day.

“Juneteenth is now a federal holiday. Thanks to the efforts of 94-year-old activist Opal Lee, who began walking state-to-state to draw attention to the cause in 2016, Congress passed legislation making Juneteenth a federal holiday in 2021.  President Biden signed the bill into law on June 17, 2021.” (Source: https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/501680/12-things-you-might-not-know-about-juneteenth)

Learn more by visiting the LLCC Juneteenth Guide at https://library.llcc.edu/juneteenth.

In the news

Kim Wilson, recruitment specialist and Juneteenth committee member, was interviewed by WICS and WAND about the LLCC’s Juneteenth celebration and educational activities.

Juneteenth observance today, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

LLCC celebrates Juneteenth 1865. Freedom Day.A Juneteenth celebration will be held today, June 20, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., in A. Lincoln Commons. The event is open to the public and features a reading of the Emancipation Proclamation, a Juneteenth display, free haircuts provided by the University of Spa and Cosmetology Arts, music provided by D.J. Yinka and food from Gertrude’s Taste of Heaven by local caterer Lisa Johnson.

Learn more about LLCC’s Juneteenth activities.

Historical spotlight

“Texas was the first state to declare Juneteenth a state holiday. Texas deemed the holiday worthy of statewide recognition in 1980, becoming the first state to do so.” (Source: https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/501680/12-things-you-might-not-know-about-juneteenth)

Learn more by visiting the LLCC Juneteenth Guide at https://library.llcc.edu/juneteenth.

Juneteenth historical spotlight

“Juneteenth celebrations waned for several decades. It wasn’t because people no longer wanted to celebrate freedom — but, as Slate so eloquently put it, ‘it’s difficult to celebrate freedom when your life is defined by oppression on all sides.’ Juneteenth celebrations waned during the era of Jim Crow laws until the civil rights movement of the 1960s, when the Poor People’s March planned by Martin Luther King Jr. was purposely scheduled to coincide with the date. The march brought Juneteenth back to the forefront, and when march participants took the celebrations back to their home states, the holiday was reborn.” (Source: https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/501680/12-things-you-might-not-know-about-juneteenth)

LLCC celebrates Juneteenth 1865. Freedom Day.

Learn more at LLCC’s upcoming Juneteenth activities, including a celebration on Monday, June 20, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in A. Lincoln Commons and a book read of “On Juneteenth” by Annette Gordon-Reed. Get more details.

June 17-19 is 217 Black Restaurant Weekend. Now in its third year, the event aims to counter economic disparity within black-owned businesses with fun and interactive solutions that engage, excite and ignite a deeper understanding and appreciation of Springfield’s food culture. LLCC is sponsoring Jerk Shop Go, located in downtown Springfield.