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2017 Juneteenth, A Freedom Celebration
June 16, 2017 @ 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Juneteenth 2017, A Freedom Celebration
Independence Day Our Way
The Symposium
Friday, June 16 • 7p – 10p
Martin Luther King, Jr Middle School *
1000 Mosby St, Richmond, VA 23223
Adv. 1 @ $13, 2 @ $24
Door. 1 @ $15, 2 @ $28
Internationally respected cultural historian and Egyptologist, Anthony T. Browder will keynote The Symposium. His topic, Africans in America and the Paradox of Liberty, will ponder the self-determination of Africans in America (African Americans), historically, the influences of Thomas Jefferson plus archeological discoveries in Kemet that help reconnect a cultural circle of life. Accordingly, he will demonstrate an historical and genetic connection between Africans along the Nile, Niger, Mississippi, Potomac and James Rivers.
*Martin Luther King, Jr Middle School
This brand new school’s location is adjacent to Mosby Court, a public housing complex that has been plagued with violence that is deeply rooted in the self-hate that stems from the cultural disarray of historical trauma. Let’s make this location an asset via cultural references, King quotes, historical contexts and the like. Let’s discuss.
Juneteenth Backyard Party
Saturday, June 17 • 1p – 6p
Manchester Dock
1308 Brander St, Richmond, VA 23224
Free
Come with your family to an independence day celebration like no other. Enjoy music spiced with history and good food, the Get Woke Youth Summit on cultural education*, heritage crafts for the children, good food, jump rope and hoola hoop contests, African dance and drum workshops, good food, experiences on the Trail of Enslaved Africans, shopping in the Freedom Market, good food and Elegba Folklore Society’s performing company. Juneteenth Freedom Day. Independence Day Our Way.
*Get Woke Youth Summit on cultural education Let’s recruit attendees
Theme/Purpose: Youth must develop a respect for their cultural history. Cultural veneration or reverence for ones culture is important to the development of self-edification and self-love.
“The ultimate function of education is to secure the survival of a people…” — Amos Wilson
Gratitude
Sunday, June 18 • 4p – 6p
African Burial Ground
16th & Broad Streets, Richmond, VA 23219
Free
Let the rituals of the Motherland refresh you and open spirit as we say “thank you” to our ancestors. We pay homage in ceremony, drumming and song.
Bring an offering for the altar. Wear white or African attire as you have it.