COCONINO COUNTY — At their regular meeting on Tuesday, June 13, the Coconino County Board of Supervisors (Board) voted unanimously to officially recognize and celebrate Juneteenth in Coconino County.
Juneteenth, celebrated annually on June 19, is the oldest known celebration commemorating the end of slavery. On this date in 1865, Union soldiers landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the upwards of 250,000 Black Americans still enslaved in the state were free by executive decree. Since then, Juneteenth has marked the celebration of Black American freedom and the subsequent achievements within the culture while encouraging continuous opportunities and access to equitable advancement, education, and progress for all.
The official proclamation reads, in part, “We welcome the commemoration of Juneteenth as a day of reflection to honor the progress we have made, acknowledge how far we still have to go, and renew our commitment to building a community vision for advancing justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion for all people in Coconino County and beyond.”
The community is invited to join the Coconino County African Diaspora Advisory Council (ADAC), in partnership with the Southside Community Association and Lived Black Experience CommUnity Project, for the 2023 Juneteenth Celebration. The three-day event will mark the second annual three-day Juneteenth Celebration in our community.
“We’re excited to once again celebrate Juneteenth Freedom Day with our Coconino County community,” said ADAC Chair Khara House. “The NAACP noted that freedom is a thread and fight woven though this nation’s history. It’s an honor to both carry on that fight for freedom and celebrate the thread of connection we all share in the hope of enjoying the freedoms and liberties promised throughout our Nation’s history.”
This year’s celebration begins with a formal Juneteenth Gala on Friday, June 16, at the DoubleTree by Hilton, 1175 W Route 66. Tickets for the gala are available for purchase through Eventbrite.
The Juneteenth Community Celebration will be hosted Saturday, June 17, at the South Beaver School, 506 S Beaver St. in Flagstaff and will feature live entertainment and informational tables, including the AZ Historical Society, County Diversity Councils, and more. The three-day celebration will conclude with a Juneteenth Gospel Concert on Sunday, June 18, at Christ’s Church of Flagstaff, 3475 Soliere Ave.
WHAT: Juneteenth Celebration
WHEN: Friday, June 16 – Sunday, June 18
WHERE: Gala – Doubletree by Hilton (6/16 @ 5 pm); Community Celebration – South Beaver School (6/17, 10 am – 4 pm); Gospel Concert – Christ’s Church of Flagstaff (6/18, 5 – 7 pm)
WHO: Free and open to all members of the public; 2nd Annual Juneteenth Gala ticketed ($50), limited seats available
For more information, please contact Deb Harris at the Murdoch Center (928) 226-7566 or Areina Contreras (acontreras@coconino.az.gov) or 928-679-0886.