June 9-19, 2023, Traditional Flint Juneteenth Celebration
Celebrating Black Liberation
Friday, June 16, 2023, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
at the Flint Cultural Center Campus
Sloan Museum and Longway Planetarium are honored to partner and host a portion of the Juneteenth festivities for a 3rd year at our campus on June 16. Supported by a generous grant from Bridging Michigan.
The Spotlight @ Sloan Museum | 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Location: Sloan Museum/Longway Planetarium
Sponsored by: Sloan Museum/Longway Planetarium, Artistic Visions Enterprise
Purpose: Partnering for our third year with Sloan Museum/Longway Planetarium to bring Blackness to the Flint Cultural Center. The traditional Freedom March will start the festivities that provide spiritual covering with art activities for children, entertainment, performances, and a few special surprises. Vendors will be present.
Friday, June 16, 2023 - Freedom Fund Youth Dinner | 6-8 p.m.
Location: Sloan Museum of Discovery
Sponsored by: Flint Juneteenth Committee
Purpose: 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 hosed and jailed by police during the Civil Rights Movement, 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.
Full Schedule of Events June 9-19, 2023:
Juneteenth, also known as “Emancipation Day” or “Freedom Day,” commemorates the ending of slavery in the United States. On June 17, 2021, Juneteenth was declared a National holiday - a day for African Americans to honor their culture and history, while also giving non-Black people an opportunity to learn about the day’s significance.
BLM Mural Paint Day | Time: 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Location: BLM Zone (MLK & University)
Sponsored by: Flint Public Art Project, Black Lives Matter - Flint (BLMF), Flint Institute of Music (FIM), and Community Foundation of Greater Flint
Purpose: 1 of 3-day project painting the BLM Mural on MLK & University. It is vital to send a statement that we are continuing our dedication to the mission of Black Lives. We plan to outline and tape the designated area with professional artists, community members, and youth participating in this project.
Juneteenth Kickoff | Time: 1:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Location: Sarvis Park - 4000 Wisner Flint, MI
Sponsored by: The GenWEL United
Purpose: Collaborating with the good folks of GenWEL United begins with the festivities of Juneteenth 2023 with fun, activities, and food. Activities include music and performances, activities for the children, and vendors. Be part of the village and connect with the community of villagers.
BLM Mural Paint Day pt. 2 | Time: 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Location: BLM Zone (MLK & University)
Sponsors: Flint Public Art Project, Black Lives Matter - Flint (BLMF), Flint Institute of Music (FIM), and Community Foundation of Greater Flint (CFGF)
Purpose: Continuing with Day 2 of the Black Lives Matter - Flint mural. We’ll focus on painting the core of the project. Food and music will be provided.
BLM Mural Paint Day pt. 3 | Time: 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Location: BLM Zone (MLK & University)
Sponsored by: Flint Public Art Project, Black Lives Matter - Flint (BLMF), Flint Institute of Music (FIM), and Community Foundation of Greater Flint (CFGF)
Purpose: Day 3 of the Black Lives Matter - Flint mural wraps our session with painting the base coat. Sealing off the final product in anticipation of revealing it to the public. Food and music will be provided.
Sunday, June 11, 2023: Historic St. John Street Dance | Time: 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location: St. John St. Memorial Park (Massachusetts & Boulevard)
Sponsored by: St. John Street Historical Committee
Purpose: Paying tribute to the Historical St. John Street Neighborhood established in the late 1800s in north Flint, east of the former Buick City factory complex. Very excited about the “Street Dance” block party with backyard BBQ, music, food, and community. St. John Street Historical Committee will provide insight and information about the racially integrated neighborhood without restrictive covenants that prevented people of color from buying and living in the homes.
Monday, June 12, 2023: Financial Literacy Justice | Time: 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Location: Flushing Professional Suites (G-3163 Flushing Rd. Flint, MI)
Sponsored by: Chase Bank & Renewal Under Growth
Purpose: Emphasizing financial literacy by educating entrepreneurs and small businesses on best practices. We will have bankers and finance advisors delivering lectures and hosting workshops. For those interested in learning about access to capital, line of credit, financial statements, and business 101, this event is where you need to be.
Legacy & Literacy | Time: 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Location: Hasselbring Senior Center (1002 Home St. Flint, MI)
Sponsored by: Hasselbring Senior Center
Purpose: Celebrating our legacy with a twist of literacy at the Hasselbring Senior Center. Fun and excitement with our elders with youth participating in a community fashion show. Live music and food will be served.
Historical War Stories | Time: 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Location: Berston Field House
Sponsored by: Gospel Army Black History Group & Veterans of Now
Purpose: Exploring the history centered around Black soldiers who fought in the war and were never recognized. As we give reverence to past figures who played a role in liberating Black people, we will host Historical War Stories and their impact.
Ujamaa Market | Time: 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Location: North Flint Food Market (5402 N. Clio Rd. Flint, MI)
Sponsored by: North Flint Food Market
Purpose: Celebrating the soft opening of the North Flint Food Market, “We Own It.” This monumental moment in time when the community addressed the food desert on the north side of Flint. Black economic empowerment is in order behind the mission of the food co-op. Vendors will be present, and there will be a tour of the newly built facility.
BBQ and Prep for Job Expo | Time: 5:00 pm -8:00 pm
Location: Higher Quality of Life Ministries Vision Center (5601 N. Saginaw St. Flint, MI)
Sponsored by: Higher Quality of Life Ministries
Purpose: In a competitive job environment, you need the skills necessary to make yourself valuable to potential employers. On Thursday, June 15th from 5 to 8 p.m., we invite you to drop in at your convenience to sharpen your interviewing skills, enhance your resume and prepare your mind for an outstanding interview. This drop-in session will pair you with professors from the University of Michigan Flint to prepare you for your Saturday interview at the Ujamaa Job Expo.
The Spotlight @ Sloan Museum | 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Location: Sloan Museum/Longway Planetarium
Sponsored by: Sloan Museum/Longway Planetarium, Artistic Visions Enterprise
Purpose: Partnering for our third year with Sloan Museum/Longway Planetarium to bring Blackness to the Flint Cultural Center. The traditional Freedom March will start the festivities that provide spiritual covering with art activities for children, entertainment, performances, and a few special surprises. Vendors will be present.
Friday, June 16, 2023 - Freedom Fund Youth Dinner | 6-8 p.m.
Location: Sloan Museum of Discovery
Sponsored by: Flint Juneteenth Committee
Purpose: 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 hosed and jailed by police during the Civil Rights Movement, 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.
Funded by Bridging Michigan
Harambee Breakfast and Ujamaa Job Expo | Time: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Location: Higher Quality of Life Ministries Vision Center
Sponsored by: Higher Quality of Life Ministries Vision Center
Purpose: In recognition of Juneteenth and in the spirit “pulling together”, we invite you to join us for a Harambe Breakfast. Come and fill your plates and soul with scrumptious pancakes, sausage and fellowship. In addition to a delicious breakfast and embracing the principle of Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), we will have a Job Expo where employers are on site for on the spot interviews and hiring.
Rededication of the Black Lives Matter - Flint | Time: 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Location: BLM Zone (MLK & University)
Sponsored by: Flint Institute of Music (FIM), Community Foundation of Greater Flint (CFGF), & Black Lives Matter - Flint
Purpose: Rededicating our mission to BLM’s purpose by staying committed to supporting people of color in Flint & Genesee County. Back in 2020, we painted the BLM Mural located in the BLM Zone on MLK & University St. downtown. In partnership with the Flint Public Art Project, Flint Institute of Music (FIM), Community Foundation of Greater Flint (CFGF), Black Lives Matter - Flint (BLMF), and the Flint Community. This lifetime mission is to abolish the struggle of oppression against Black people worldwide, and the mural will serve as a constant reminder.
B.U.S.T/Healing Circle | Time: 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Location: Martin Luther King Peace Park (MLK & McClellan)
Time: 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Sponsored by: Flint Juneteenth Committee & Serenity House
Purpose: The community has been dealing with trials and tribulations seeking to navigate through division. Historically, we have been subject to pain and suffering without any methods to address the core of the problem. We are hosting a holistic healing circle focused on meditation, affirmations, and love. Local pastors will be present to provide a spiritual message to the public.
Juneteenth Celebration | Time: 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Location - 1st Half: Max Brandon Park (3606 Dupont St. Flint, MI)
Parade Line Up: 5:00 pm (From Max Brandon Park)
Sponsored by: United Way of Greater Flint
Purpose: Juneteenth at Max Brandon Park is our flagship day for the festival. Activities include youth games, bounce house and arts and culture, music performances, and a special ceremony honoring prolific figures from our community. We’ll have vendors present with products, merchandise, and backyard games for adults. Starting at 5:00 pm, the lineup for Juneteenth Parade with classic cars, motorcycle clubs, marching bands, floats, and the community.
Afrobeats Party | Time: 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Location - 2nd Half: Riverbank Park (100 Saginaw St. Flint, MI)
Sponsored by: United Way of Greater Flint
Purpose: The Juneteenth Parade will make its final destination downtown for the grand finale to top the evening off with an Afrobeats Party on the Riverbank celebrating our ancestors in fashion. This would be the first of its kind in Flint bringing fresh talent to the stage with a live DJ. All Juneteenth city activities will be meeting downtown for this occasion. Be sure to join us for this wonderful celebration.