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Juneteenth Festival to Celebrate Diversity

Saturday, June 19, 01-8 p.m., Jackson Riverwalk Amphitheater

Jackson Community College is pleased to host the Juneteenth Music Festival, coming to downtown Jackson's Riverwalk Amphitheater on Saturday, June 19.  The area will open at noon, with opening ceremonies at 01 p.m.

This Juneteenth event will feature various musical performances from gospel, jazz, rhythm & blues artists along with booths from local vendors, a job fair, health booths, kids activities, great food and much more.  Jackson native and former Grammy nominee Betty Joplin is slated to appear, and many more acts have been invited.

Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration of the freedom for African Americans.  From its Galveston, Texas origin in 1865, the observance of June 19^th as the African American Emancipation Day has spread across the United States and beyond.  Today, Juneteenth commemorates African American freedom and emphasizes education and achievement.  It is a day, a week, and in some areas a month marked with celebrations, guest speakers, cookouts and family gatherings.

All proceeds from the event will benefit the JCC College Incentive Program students.  CIP inducts sixth-grade students from various Jackson County schools with the promise of two years of free JCC college tuition after they graduate from high school, and is headed by Director of Multicultural Relations Cam Herth. Students are selected by the principals of their schools, based upon the student's ability to benefit from the program. 

  For more information, contact the JCC Office of Multicultural Relations at (517) 796-8470.