Come out this Friday for the #Juneteenth Freedom March & Celebration . The March will start at DeCharlene’s Salon on 22nd & Madison in the Central Area, at roughly 2:00 pm. There, we will honor the late DeCharlene Williams, who founded the Central Area Chamber of Commerce and brought Juneteenth to Seattle nearly 40 years ago. The March will end at Jimi Hendrix Park—the field by the Northwest African American Museum (NAAM). Event will include a Black graduation procession, Black business promotion, soul food, a teach-in, musical performances, and more! Please share widely.
1,000 Black Businesses:
Juneteenth will be hosting a Black Business Network Party during the celebrations concluding the march.
It is Africatown’s objective to have 1000 Black Business in our Directory; there will be an area in the park for business owners/representatives to register and cross network with those within their field and others! We are encouraging black business to pull up! In any way they can; A vendor fee will not be applied * Please sign up HERE.
Black Graduation:
The class of 2020 will be defined by their perseverance in this historical time. Since their graduation celebrations were cut short, we will celebrate their hard work at #Juneteenth! All graduates, from elementary school to college, are encouraged to bring their cap and gown so we can celebrate their black excellence!
Safety:
Yes, Covid is still real. If you’re healthy and able, we look forward to seeing you at the Juneteenth march and celebration. Please follow the CDC guidelines and God’s gift of common sense to keep you and those around you safe!
– Keep your hands clean with hand sanitizer or the old fashioned way: soap and water
– Avoid touching and close contact
– Please wear a mask or a cloth to cover your nose and mouth
Why do we celebrate Juneteenth?
On June 19,1865 — two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed — Texas Major General Gordon Granger delivered news that the Civil War had ended and enslaved Africans were now free. The excitement and celebration of Juneteenth grew from descendants of enslaved Africans and has now developed into an annual celebration across the nation!
Why 22nd and Madison? Well, there’s history here. In 1983, Charlene Williams founded the Central Area Chamber of Commerce to empower black businesses in the area. The Chamber of Commerce quickly became Seattle’s hub for black businesses. This eventually gave way to the first Juneteenth celebration in Washington State — a celebration of America’s fundamental shift towards freedom for all.
Africatown and the King County Equity Now Coalition are continuing the tradition with a march to amplify the demands of Seattle’s black community, followed by a celebration of arts, business, graduates, and of course food!
Freedom March Starts at 2pm – DeCharlene’s Boutique/Central Area Chamber of Commerce (22nd & Madison)
4:00pm Opening Ceremony @Jimi Hendrix Park/African American Museum
LIBATION – Dr. Marcia Arunga
HORNS – Owuor Arunga
ORIGIN OF JUNETEENTH SEATTLE – Rita Green
BLACK NATIONAL ANTHEM- Shanise Rakel
Derrick Wheeler Smith
Black Graduation
Niecko Glover Jr. & Mara Palmer
Arianna
People’s Assembly
KHMET
K. Wyking Garrett (ACLT)
Baionne Coleman (Rainier Valley Leadership Academy)
Nyema Clark (Nurturing Roots)
Nikkita Oliver (Creative Justice)
Dominique Davis (Community Passageways)
Michael Gebrekristos
Mayor Jenny Durkan
Council Member Kshama Sawant
Council Member Girmay Zahilay
Edutainment
Lia B.
Alved Harris
Heru
Kidist Habte
Kutt N’ Up
Draze
Banu
Rawlo Marlo
Adefua
Total Experience
Romari Reese
Yirim Seck
Rell B Free
Skye Dior
Empress Robinson
Northwest Tap Connection
Yohanna E. & Hana Lolla
Tony Coleman
Nu Black Arts West Theatre
Sistah’s Rock the Arts
