celebrating 159 years
about juneteenth
The 517 Juneteenth Weekend is a unique opportunity for the Mid-Michigan region to celebrate Black culture, expression, and experiences. Attracting thousands of participants to Lansing’s REO Town Corridor, the 517 Juneteenth Weekend recognizes the emancipation of African-American slaves in the United States of America. On June 19, 1865, a declaration of freedom was issued in Galveston, TX, freeing Black people who remained enslaved after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed in 1862.
Juneteenth is recognized annually, and has been celebrated widely among the Black community for decades. In 2005, Michigan’s 47th Governor, Jennifer Granholm, signed a legislation that officially preserved the third Saturday of June as the Juneteenth Freedom Day in Michigan. Then in 2020, Michigan’s current Governor, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, signed a proclamation making June 19th as “Juneteenth Celebration Day”. Today, Juneteenth is recognized as a federal holiday, and more and more people are finding ways to recognize and celebrate Juneteenth.
Although Juneteenth has gained mainstream popularity in recent years, the celebration of culture, expression, and experience is nothing new in the 517. Ourspace works as a bridge that connects Black arts and culture to the Lansing community at-large, creates platforms to promote Black-led businesses and entrepreneurship, provides high-quality programming that is free and accessible, and much more.
juneteenth timeline
517 Juneteenth weekend
OFFICIAL RECAP VIDEO
2023 lookbook
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517 juneteenth
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2023 lookbook | 517 juneteenth |
Become a culture sponsor (2024)
The 517 Juneteenth Weekend is just part 1 of the 517 Culture Series, taking place this summer. Learn about how your organization can get involved below
become a vendor
Interested in becoming a vendor at this year’s 517 Juneteenth Festival?
Fill out the form below!
Interested in becoming an Informational Vendor?