2008

2007

June 16, 2007 - SOUL (Southsiders Organized for Unity and Liberation) - Juneteenth SOULfest, Bethany Lutheran Church, 9147 S. Jeffrey - We are holding our first annual SOULfest to celebrate unity among all people and celebrate freedom for people worldwide. We will have food, games, live entertainment, vendors, workshops and lots of fun. 11am - 7pm, Saturday June 16.
SOUL is a faith-based, not-for-profit organization created to develop leaders and fight social injustices in our communities.

June 16, 2007 - 119th Street Block Club Organization - With the Roseland community being one of the most crime ridden neighborhoods in all of Chicago; it is imperative that community members work together to bring about change.  In this effort, residents of East 119th Street have banned together in commitment to that mission.

Residents have come together to form a block club organization whose first initiative is to hold a celebration in commemoration of the emancipation of slaves in Galveston Island, Texas on June 19th 1865, also known as the portmanteau, 'Juneteenth' celebration.  Although the Emancipation Proclamation became official in 1863, Texans ignored the order since there were no Union soldiers present to enforce it.

Not until Union General Gordon Granger's regiment arrived on Galveston Island and read out General Order Number 3, did President Lincoln's orders become enforced.  The celebration of ex-slaves of Texas would be passed down through the generations as the African-American Independence Day.  Juneteenth is a symbolization of education and self improvement, prayer and reassurance, and the gathering of family and friends.

The 119th street Block Club Organization wanted this to be the base of their new endeavor to uplift the Roseland Community, starting with their own block.  Our event is also dedicated to boys, young men and fathers of the Roseland/Pullman community.  After almost 30 years of not having a block club, we have implemented the 119th Street Block Club Organization to make an impact on the youth of our community.

At this event we plan to provide edutainment, food, fun and African-American pride.  We are looking for informative vendors (email for more information), donations, performance troops, and speakers.  9th Ward Alderman, Anthony Beale is in full support of our endeavor and will utilize this event to dedicate a plot to our cause of building a community garden.  We hope that this garden will bridge the gap between the young and the old because we believe that both generations have something to offer to each other.  The advancement of our people is well overdue and we feel that this event is integral to start the process.

When: June 16, 2007
Where: 119th Street and Calumet Ave.
Time: 12 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Your contribution in any way to this event would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you in advance for your consideration.

6-19-07 - Bronzeville Children's Museum
  The Plaza-9600 South Western Avenue-Lower Level
  Evergreen Park, Illinois 60805
 
  Date- Tuesday June 19,2007
  Time- 10a.m.-2p.m.
  Activities- Make a Juneteenth Booklet

June 17, 2007 - Million Mom March/Brady Campaign - Father’s Day - Sunday June 17, 2007
12:00 – 12:01 P.M. - Memorial Minute - Please ring your congregational bells for all males who have fallen victim to violence home and abroad
Join us in a moment of silence for the sons, brothers, nephews, fathers and potential fathers whose lives have been lost to violence Prayer changes things we need our inner voices to be in harmony United we stand

6/16/07 - Church of Christ - Annual Juneteenth Picnic - Riverdale Park - 13800 S Wentworth Ave - Riverdale, IL 60827
 

2006

2005

June 18, 2005 - Family Reunion
Family Reunion- Ball, Dunams & Gray families... Traditional family reunion fare, the first...Held on: Sat. June 18,2005 stating early. Reading of Juneteenth History, Family History, Games, contests and music. Photo sessions, Family sign-in book etc.

June 16-18, 2005 - C.I.E.S.S.
June 16 - Gala Celebration and Awards Ceremony at South Shore Cultural Center.

June 18 - Revisiting the Road to Freedom - 10th Annual Freedom Parade and Picnic. Along 79th Street from Stony Island, east to lakefront and Rainbow Beach Park.  Readings from the winning Expressions of Freedom submissions( student writing), Step Competition, and Battle of the Bands. African and Slave Villages with craftsmen and exhibits. Vendors and Live entertainment. Car safety check and health fair. Underground Railroad exhibit. For More information:CIESS, Lestine Byars, 773-684-6070

June 16, 2005 - The Chicago Children's Museum(CCM)will mark the occasion of Juneteenth by presenting an original play, 'Juneteenth: A Celebration of Freedom'. Along with CCM's presentation there will be Juneteenth trivia games, art and writing booths and a Freedom Quilt workshop. It will all be held on Kraft Free Family Night, Thursday June 16, 2005 from 5-8 pm. Hope to see you there!!

JUNE 19, 2005 - SOUTHSIDE EDUCATIONAL CENTER FOR YOUTH (SECY) CELEBRATE JUNETEENTH AND FATHER'S DAY WITH BAR-B-QUE DINNERS AND ENTERTAINMENT WITH SECY AT 720 W. 111TH ST. CHICAGO, IL. FROM 1-3 P.M. SUNDAY, JUNE 19, 2005. ALL PROCEEDS ARE USED TO CONTINUE THE WORK TO HELP EDUCATE, MENTOR AND ASSIST CHILDREN IN THE INNER CITY THAT ARE MAINLY FROM SINGLE PARENT FAMILIES. SECY IS A 501(C)(3)TAX-EXEMPT NOT FOR PROFIT ORGANIZATION.

Chicago Children's Museum, Navy Pier - 700 East Grand Avenue - Chicago, Illinois  60611 312-527-1000 Chicago Children's Museum African American Community Resource Fair Presents - A Juneteenth Celebration! Kraft Free Family Night Thursday, June 16, 2005 5-8 pm PResource booths: International Society of Sons and Daughters of Slave Ancestry | DuSable Museum of African American History Action for Children | Born Learning: Mayor Daley's Early Childhood Initiative, and more. Performances:  Juneteenth: The Musical, a museum sing-along ALYO Children's Dance Theatre performance Hands-on Activities: Family Trees, Family Puppets, Freedom Quilt Workshop, My Family Stories Bookmaking Activity Friday, June 17, 2005 2:30-4:00 pm Juneteenth: The Musical

JUNE 19, 2005 - Race To Knowledge, Inc. A Tribute to the Black Father - This is a free event.  Traditional Juneteenth foods will be served.  Music, Poetry and Special Invited Guest Sam Greenlee, Author of "The Spook who sat by the Door" will speak from his literary works and open a dialogue on the "Dichotomy between Black Entertainment, the Black Venacular and Political Activism. Sunday, June 19, 2005 1PM - 7PM.  Show at 3PM.  This event is held at the Swift Mansion which is located at 4500 South Michigan Ave. in Chicago's Bronnzeville Community.  Additional information call (773)285-2852. 

JUNE 16, 2005 - Cook County Sheriff's Department of Women's Justice Services - The female furlough program for female offenders will hold the third Juneteenth Celebration of Hope Thursday, June 16th at 12:30 PM in division 8, 2700 S. California and Friday, June 17th for Women's Residential Drug Treatment Program in division 3-2700 S. California at 9:00 AM for more information or to send donations, contact Dorenda K. Dixon, Director of Programs at 773 869-7887.

JUNE 19, 2005 - Unity in Chicago invites you to join us at Blacks in Unity's 4th Annual Juneteenth Celebration on June 19, 2005, in our beautiful garden and gazebo!  The celebration begins at 1:30pm, and picnic food and desserts will be available for sale after the 9:30 am worship service.  Unity in Chicago is located at 1925 W. Thome on the far north side of Chicago.  1 block south of Devon and 1 block west of Ridge.

Jacksonville IL. Underground Railroad Committee will host the first annual Juneteenth Celebration Saturday, June 25, 2005 at Community Park from 10A.M.-5P.M. This celebration will feature the world renown Jesse White "Tumbling Team" of Chicago, IL. and The "Perfect Steppers" of Hannibal, Mo. Various organizations will display tables, food vendors will offer their specialties, craft vendors will display and sell their items. Plantation cookin' will be tasted by all, along with plenty of music, skits, poetry, choirs, drill teams, praise dancers, children and youth activities and a historical/skit of "our home" Woodlawn Farm and abolitionist Michael Huffaker assisting runaway slaves to freedom. The rich history of our city dealing with various abolitionist will be noted along with character portrayal of noted black leaders of the Civil War Era. Finale! a Spiritual Jubilee, toasted at the end with "Red Soda!" COME AND CELEBRATE WITH US!! 1-217-243-3755