Juneteenth Celebration
@ the Flint Cultural Center
Saturday, June 20, 2026 | 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
The annual event will include kids activities and crafts, local vendors, live music on the main stage, and a Freedom March at noon led by Hamady High School's marching band. The Freedom March will start at the corner of Crapo and E. Kearsley Streets. Community members are invited to march up Crapo behind the band before the live music begins.
Included in the free campus event is an official "Made By Us" Civic Season Wish Wall at Applewood Estate where visitors are invited to add to the national wish for our nation's future. The FIA has arts and crafts under the tent, while Gloria Coles Flint Public Library will be offering face painting, book giveaways and balloon art activities.
11 a.m. | Bounce Houses, crafts and kids activities, local vendors and food trucks open to public
12 p.m. | Freedom March (starting at Crapo and Kearsley Streets and led by the Hamady High School band)
12:15 pm | National and Black anthems, performed by Jawanne Carrigan
12:30 p.m. | Gwen Hemphill performing with The Eclipse Band
1:00 p.m. | Spoken Word artists
1:45 p.m. | Mama Sol performing with The Eclipse Band
2:45 p.m. | Battle of the Line Dancers
Juneteenth Celebration at The Flint Cultural Center is organized by the Traditional Flint Juneteenth committee members in partnership with Sloan Museum of Discovery, Longway Planetarium, FIM, Flint Institute of Arts (FIA), Applewood Estate, Whaley Historical House, and the Gloria Coles Flint Public Library.
Juneteenth Celebration @ Flint Cultural Center is just one of many events happening in Flint and Genesee County and organized by the Traditional Flint Juneteenth Committee. See the full list below.
COMMUNITY EVENTS HAPPENING
THROUGHOUT FLINT & GENESEE COUNTY
May 31-June 28, 2026
Be a part of the celebration!
Join the Flint Juneteenth Parade
Become a Flint Juneteenth Vendor
Download the 2026 event flier
Register for the June 16, 2026 Freedom Dinner
The Juneteenth celebration traditionally begins in remembrance and honor of the nearly 1,500 children slaughtered in Soweto, South Africa, on June 16, 1976, protesting against Apartheid! Thus, beginning the end of apartheid ‘The Children’s Brigade” who were painfully hosed and jailed by police during the Civil Rights Movement, The youth played a powerful role in moving the Civil Rights protest to a successful conclusion. This tribute will be led by the children with the support of elder leadership. Dinner will be provided, and entertainment.
EXPLORE THE FULL LIST OF COMMUNITY EVENTS BELOW:
Events Happening May 31 - June 28, 2026
Location: Metropolitan Church - 930 E Myrtle Ave. Flint, MI
Purpose: The Black church has long served as a "hallowed ground" for both spiritual nourishment and civic mobilization. Because it acts as a sanctuary, a schoolhouse, and a town hall simultaneously, it provides a unique atmosphere where education and entertainment can blend seamlessly—a concept often called "edutainment."
Sponsored by Metropolitan Church.
Location: Flint Cultural Center Campus - 1310 E Kearsley St, Flint, MI 48503
Sponsored by Charles Stewart Mott Foundation
Purpose: The celebration kicks off Friday, June 5, from 5 to 8 p.m., with free admission to the Flint Institute of Arts, Sloan Museum of Discovery, and Longway Planetarium. Local food trucks and cafes on campus will offer food for purchase, and live performances will take the stage outside the Flint Institute of Arts from 6 to 8 p.m. — a perfect way to ease into the weekend.
Location: Bethesda Temple Church - 947 Leland St, Flint, MI
Sponsored by Men’s Community Action Resources (MCAR)
Purpose: A fantastic way to bridge the gap between outdoor recreation and character building. "A Day At The Lake" provides a perfect "hook" to get youth engaged while teaching them the patience and precision that fishing and life require.
Location: Flint Cultural Center Campus - 1310 E Kearsley St, Flint, MI 48503
Sponsored by Charles Stewart Mott Foundation
Purpose: Saturday, June 6, is the main event, with activities running from noon to 6 p.m. across the campus. Free community lunch from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. (while supplies last). Campus-wide scavenger hunt with big prizes. Gaming truck and bounce house, live music and entertainment, and a 3-on-3 basketball tournament at Flint Cultural Center Academy, with play beginning at 9 a.m. (registration required; priority given to Flint residents). Fun activities hosted by the Flint Institute of Arts, Flint Institute of Music, Gloria Coles Flint Public Library, Sloan Museum of Discovery, and Longway Planetarium. Tours of the historic Applewood Estate (11 a.m.-5 p.m.).
Location: Flint Cultural Center Campus - 1310 E Kearsley St, Flint, MI 48503
Sponsored by Charles Stewart Mott Foundation
Purpose: The 3-on-3 basketball tournament is hosted in partnership with Moneyball Sportswear and is open to male and female players ages 11-18, with four age divisions: 11-12, 13-14, 15-16, and 17-18. Registration is free, and every participant will receive a reversible jersey. Championship finals begin at 9 a.m. on Sunday, June 7.
Location: The New McCree Theater - 4601 Clio Rd, Flint, MI
Sponsored by Gospel Army Black History Group
Purpose: This is a powerful and often overlooked chapter of American history. Focusing on the United States Colored Troops (USCT), specifically their role as elite assault troops and the first to liberate Richmond. It transforms a history lesson into a story of agency, valor, and spiritual resolve.
Location: Hasselbring Senior Center - 2111 Flushing Rd. Flint, MI (Lower level)
Sponsored by Hasselbring Senior Center
Purpose: A beautiful example of the "bridge" you’ve built between the elders—our living libraries—and the youth. By combining the "twist of literacy" with community engagement and live music, we are creating a multisensory history lesson that honors the roots of Flint while planting seeds for its future.
Location: Oak Business Center - 2712 N. Saginaw St, Flint, MI
Sponsored by The Justice League
Purpose: A profound shift in how community organizing approaches the concept of reparations and economic justice. By centering the work within a faith-based framework, they move the conversation from a purely political or legal debate to a moral imperative, effectively "repairing the breach" (Isaiah 58:12) that has existed for generations.
Location: North Flint Food Market - 5402 N. Clio Rd, Flint, MI
Sponsored by The North Flint Food Market
Purpose: The opening of the North Flint Food Market is a landmark achievement in community-led urban renewal. By moving from a "food desert" to "food sovereignty," the community isn't just buying groceries; it’s investing in a local ecosystem where the capital circulates within the neighborhood.
Location: Higher Quality of Life Ministries Vision Center - 5601 N. Saginaw St, Flint, MI
Sponsored by Higher Quality of Life Ministries Vision Center
Purpose: The Harambee Breakfast is the perfect culmination of the themes you’ve laid out—blending the historical weight of Juneteenth with the communal spirit of "pulling together" (the literal meaning of the Swahili word Harambee).
Location: Camp A.R.T.I.S @ Shay Lake - 4574 Gifford Dr, Silverwood, MI
Sponsored by Men’s Community Action Resources (MCAR)
Purpose: The transition from the classroom training at Bethesda Temple to the shores of Shay Lake at Camp A.R.T.I.S. is where the theory of "A Day at the Lake" meets reality. The "generation-to-generation" interaction is the secret sauce of this event; it transforms a simple outdoor activity into a powerful transfer of cultural and communal wisdom.
Location: Iroquois Park - 610 W. Taylor St. Flint, MI
Sponsored by The GenWEL United
Purpose: Juneteenth festivities are a powerful move toward true community cohesion. This partnership embodies the "Harambee" spirit you’ve championed, bringing different organizational strengths together to ensure the "villagers" have everything they need to thrive, from food to cultural enrichment.
Location: Urban Renaissance Center, 2505 N. Chevrolet Flint, MI 48504
Sponsored by Urban Renaissance Center
Purpose: The introduction of Ubuntu, "I am because we are,” at the URC (Urban Renaissance Center) provides the perfect philosophical "anchor" for your Juneteenth celebration. This Southern African concept is the spiritual sibling to the Harambee spirit; while Harambee is the act of pulling together, Ubuntu is the reason why we do it.
Location: Sloan Museum of Discovery - 1221 E. Kearsley St, Flint, MI
Sponsored by The Traditional Flint Juneteenth Celebration Committee
Purpose: Linking the Soweto Uprising of June 16, 1976, to the "Children’s Brigade" of the American Civil Rights Movement creates a profound global bridge. It reminds us that Juneteenth is not just a localized American date, but a part of a worldwide struggle for Black liberation.
Location: Flushing Professional Suites (G-3163 Flushing Rd, Flint, MI)
Sponsored by Renewal Under Growth
Purpose: By providing this level of professional expertise, you are essentially creating a "Small Business Command Center" within your community. This segment of the program shifts the focus from economic survival to legacy building, aligning perfectly with the North Flint Food Market's "We Own It" mission and the Justice League's restorative work. Financial literacy workshops with businesses, vendors, and entrepreneurs.
Theme: "Our Voices Matter"
Location: Zoom: https://bit.ly/Traditional_Juneteenth
Meeting ID: 896 1403 6362
Password: 729169
Sponsored by Community-Based Public Health Caucus
Purpose: The Spirit of Juneteenth Virtual Men’s Health and Wellness Summit is a vital addition to your programming, addressing the "whole man" in the same way your other initiatives address the "whole community." By bringing in national experts to discuss everything from preventative care to the complexities of fatherhood, you are ensuring that the "villagers" have the physical and emotional stamina to sustain the progress being made in Flint and beyond.
Location 1st Half: Max Brandon Park (3606 Dupont St, Flint, MI)
Parade Line Up 5:00 pm (From Max Brandon Park)
Sponsored by The Traditional Flint Juneteenth Celebration Committee
Purpose: Max Brandon Park is the perfect stage for the "flagship" celebration. As a sprawling green space in the heart of the community, it allows for the "Village" to expand to its fullest potential. This day acts as the physical manifestation of Ubuntu, where every activity, from the bounce houses to the classic car parade, contributes to the collective joy and remembrance of the 54th Annual Traditional Juneteenth Celebration.
Location 2nd Half: University of Michigan Community Park (Lawn on 5th & James B. Cole Blvd. behind the William S. White building, Flint, MI)
Sponsored by The Traditional Flint Juneteenth Celebration Committee
Purpose: Bringing the 54th Annual Traditional Juneteenth Celebration to its grand finale at the University of Michigan Community Park creates a powerful symbolic bridge between the community and one of the region's major institutions. Ending the day with an Afrobeats Party is a masterful way to connect the historical struggle for freedom to the modern, global sound of the African Diaspora, bringing the journey of the "villagers" full circle.
Location: Sloan Museum/Longway Planetarium (1221 E. Kearsley St, Flint, MI)
Sponsor: Sloan Museum/Longway Planetarium
Purpose: The partnership with the Flint Cultural Center marks a critical expansion of the "Village." By bringing "Blackness" into these historically significant institutions—the FIA, the Library, FIM, Sloan, and Longway—you are reclaiming space and ensuring that the "faith, dreams, and determination" of the ancestors are woven into the very fabric of Flint’s cultural identity.
Location: Memorial Park - 1026 Church St, Flint, MI
Sponsored by The Traditional Flint Juneteenth Celebration Committee
Purpose: This initiative to "bridge the gap" is the emotional and structural cornerstone of the entire "Village" model. By focusing on family forgiveness and providing a judgment-free space for fathers of all kinds, biological, adoptive, step, and beyond, you are addressing the core of community stability. This event transforms the church or center into a sanctuary for "The Healed Leader," ensuring that the men who lead the march and run the markets are thriving at home as well.
Location: Martin Luther King Peace Park - MLK & McClellan
Sponsored by The Traditional Flint Juneteenth Committee
Purpose: Holistic Healing Circle is a vital response to the "trials and tribulations" the community has weathered. Historically, when a community has been subject to systemic pain, the focus is often on survival; this circle shifts the focus toward sovereignty and restoration.
Location: Dort Park - Corner of N. Saginaw St. & Hamilton St.
Sponsored by Robinson for Flint City Council 5th Ward
Purpose: "Get Out the Vote" (GOTV) is more than just a logistical task; it is the final push to turn the community’s collective energy into political power. Given the focus on civic accountability, transparency, and the economic future of the region, a successful GOTV strategy ensures that the "Village" has a seat at the table where decisions about water rates, infrastructure, and local leadership are made.
Location: Brennan Center - 1301 Pingree Ave, Flint, MI 48503
Sponsored by Southside City of Hope
Purpose: Southside City of Hope proudly invites the community of Flint, MI, to our Juneteenth Block Club Party on Thursday, June 25th, 2026, from 4:30 PM to 8:30 PM at Brennan Park, 1301 Pingree Ave, Flint, MI 48503. Come out and enjoy free school supplies and bounce houses for the youth, live entertainment with music, singing, and a fashion show focusing on African Attire, exciting games and activities including kickball, basketball, horseshoes, bid whist/spades, bridge, dominoes, food trucks, vendors, and more for all ages. It will be a powerful evening of fun! Bring your family, friends, and neighbors as we come together to celebrate freedom, culture, unity, and the spirit of community. You do not want to miss this exciting celebration!
Location: McCree Theatre - 4601 Clio Rd, Flint, MI 48504
Sponsored by Black Lives Matter Flint (BLMF)
Purpose: A Black Lives Matter Juneteenth Special serves as a vital bridge between the historical end of chattel slavery and the modern movement for systemic justice. It reframes Juneteenth not just as a day of "reflection," but as a day of action and accountability. By blending the heritage of 1865 with the demands of today, this special can galvanize the "Village" to ensure that freedom is lived, not just celebrated.
Location: Flint Development Center - 4121 Martin Luther King AVE. Flint, MI
Sponsored by Community-Based Organization Partner (CBOP)
Purpose: The Dr. E. Hill De Loney Scholarship Reception is the heartbeat of your "generation-to-generation" mission. By honoring the woman who founded this very committee and dedicated her life to "rearing and mentoring" the youth with real knowledge, you are ensuring that the 54th Annual Traditional Juneteenth Celebration is rooted in its original soil.
Location: Hasselbring Senior Center - 2111 Flushing Rd. Flint, MI
Purpose: This Traditional Flint Juneteenth Family Reunion is the ultimate "Harambee" moment, a time to lay down the tools of planning and pick up the fruits of fellowship. After decades of "repairing the breach" and building the village, this day of reflection honors the architects who have kept the flame of Mother De Loney's vision alive for 54 years. By framing this as a "Family Reunion," you are acknowledging that the committee is more than a working group; it is a kinship bonded by a shared mission of Black economic empowerment and cultural preservation.
Sponsored by Calvary United Methodist Church
