
Juneteenth Events
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Juneteenth Vendor Applications:
SUBMISSIONS ARE CLOSED
Merchandise Vendor Registration Form
Health Fair Participant’s Registration Form
Youth Poster Contest
“Significance and Impact of Juneteenth” Poster Contest
Contest Open Date: May 2023 | Presentation of Winners, June 18, 2023
Area youth will have the opportunity to participate in a Juneteenth poster contest in which the works of art will be displayed throughout the festival. Winners will be announced on the last day of the festival. The contest rules and criteria will be disseminated a month prior to the Juneteenth Celebration through the usual community outreach channels utilized by the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Association’s annual essay contest honoring the legacy of Dr. King.
“Black Asheville 411”
Lunch and Learn Sessions
Noon – 1 p.m., Monday, June 12 – Friday, June 16
FREE to the public. Registration not required.
Topics:
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- Monday: Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center: Speakers: Dr. Oralene Simmons and Jonathan McCoy, “Historical Facts of Juneteenth”
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- Tuesday: Stephens-Lee Community Center: Topic: “Community Reflections on the Historic Stephens-Lee High School”
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- Wednesday: Tempie Avery Montford Community Center: Speaker: Mr. Matthew Bacoate, Jr., “Reflections on Life in Black Asheville”
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- Thursday: Burton Street Community Center: Speakers: Apostle Inez D. Ray, Rev. Alfred Blount, and Rev. Brent LaPrince Edwards, “The Role of the Black Church in Asheville”
- Friday: Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center: Speakers: Drew Reisinger, “Slave Records Research” & Linda Brown, “African-American Cemeteries Research”
Local Black and Brown Artists Tours
Monday, June 12 – Friday, June 16
Celebrate Juneteenth by visiting our local black and brown artists in person and online.
Artists:
Asheville Juneteenth Black Film Series
“African Americans in Film”
6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., Monday, June 12 – Friday, June 16
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College Ferguson Auditorium
All movies are free to the public and will start promptly at 6:30 p.m. The run time varies per movie; however, the longest run time is 2:20 hours. Please let us know if there are any special accommodations needed for you to be able to participate in viewing the films. Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College’s buildings are ADA compliant.
Schedule:
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever – Monday, June 12
Ali – Tuesday, June 13
The Woman King – Wednesday, June 14
Ray – Thursday, June 15
Madea’s Family Reunion – Friday, June 16
Juneteenth Festival Celebration
“Remembering, Honoring, and Celebrating Juneteenth”
Saturday, June 17 – Sunday, June 18 | Pack Square Park
Saturday’s Tentative Events (11 a.m. – 9 p.m.):
- Opening Address and Recognition of Sponsors: Dr. Oralene Simmons
- Opening Anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing”
- Greetings from the City and the County, and Juneteenth Proclamations
- Juneteenth Facts and History: Mr. Jonathan McCoy
- Opening Bands
- Recognizing Black Organizations
- Walking Tours of Downtown African-American Sites
- Bands
- Dance Groups
- Children’s Art Station
- Spoken Word
Specific participants will be listed as confirmed.
Sunday’s Tentative Events (1 p.m. – 6 p.m.):
“Praise in the Park”
- Opening Address
- Local Church Choirs and Groups
- Celebrating Spirituals
- Celebrating Gospel
- Celebrating Contemporary Praise Music
- Health Fair
- Dance Groups
- Announcement of Poster Contest Winners
- Children’s Art Station
- Walking Tours of Downtown African-American Sites
- Vendors & Food Trucks
- Closing
Please Note: A Monday celebration may be added in partnership with community groups.
Kelley Pierce
Dear committee members,
I’m writing you about the Juneteenth Festival Celebration (JFC). I work for the Council on Aging as ACA Navigator who helps folks navigate their health insurance options. We would love to participate in the JFC this year.
What is the registration process?
Is there a cost to doing an outreach table at the event?
Is it possible to come for both Saturday and Sunday?
Thanks for organizing this event! I love the lunch and learn topics and will try to attend those as well to learn more.
mlkadmin
Thank you for you question. You will find the registration process as well as contact information for event questions here: https://mlkasheville.org/health-fair-participants-registration-form/.
Mary Graden
I just saw your interview on WLOS and would like to inquire about working with your organization in a gun violence town hall. I am the local group lead for Moms Demand Action Asheville. This is a topic that is very concerning for our local group and National group. We would love to see this town hall happen and we can help in any way possible.
Alice Martin-Adkins
The First Congregational United Church of Christ will be featuring local Black artist Jerrie Settles in our Oak Street Art Gallery during the month of June. Is there some way we can be featured in your promotion of Black and Brown artists?
Andrea "Andy" Hall
Hello,
My name is Andy Hall and I am a reporter for Mountain Xpress. I’d like to chat with or email some questions to someone regarding Juneteenth for an upcoming “Around Town: Arts & Culture” write up. Thank you.
Gregory Harper
I Love my city, Asheville NC, been living here in Atlanta GA for 31 years every time I come home for a visit I see change of culture shifting in one direction. What happen to Black Asheville?
Carolyn Williams
Is there a recording of the June 16 program. If so, how to access it? Thank you for the fine programs. Carolyn Williams