YMCA of the Triangle

Header slogan

FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
FOR HEALTHY LIVING
FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Remembering Juneteenth

Remembering Juneteenth

Juneteenth marks the anniversary of June 19, 1865, when Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas to announce that executive decree had freed the more than 250,000 enslaved black people in Texas, the westernmost of the Confederate States.

While Juneteenth recognizes a significant day, there is critical historical context to examine related to slavery, Reconstruction and the continuing struggle to advance racial equity.

The YMCA of the Triangle's African American Employee Resource Group (AAERG) invites you to join us in raising awareness of Juneteenth's significance, being part of the reckoning with our shared national history and pursuing the opportunities for a stronger community, based in a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.

Juneteenth's History & Today

Share the Conversation

2024 Events

Chatham YMCA

7th Annual Juneteenth Black Arts Festival
Saturday, June 15, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Join the Y at CORE (Community Organizing for Racial Equity)'s festival at the Chatham County Fairgrounds. 
 

Downtown Durham YMCA

2nd Annual BLACK OUT Black Business Expo
Saturday, June 22, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Stop by the Downtown Durham YMCA in support of local black-owned businesses.
 

Kerr Family YMCA

Black-Owned Business Fair
Wednesday, June 19, 8:30 - 11:30 a.m.
If you are interested in hosting a table, please email Randi.Gressel@YMCATriangle.org.
 

Southeast Raleigh YMCA

Juneteenth Community Celebration
Saturday, June 15, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Join the Y and community partners for a day of celebration including music, fitness classes, a health fair, vendor market, food trucks, games and more. Free and open to the public!

Interested in being a vendor? Email Erica.Porter@YMCATriangle.org
 

Northwest Cary YMCA

Juneteenth Celebration
Wednesday, June 19, 5:30 - 7 p.m. The event time has been changed to 6:30 - 8 p.m.
Come celebrate and recognize Juneteenth in the courtyard, with music, outdoor yard games, local black vendors and a food truck. Swag will be distributed while supplies last. 

Father Pius will do a devotion to kick off the celebration, followed with a keynote speaker sharing the importance of Juneteeth. Free swag, music, Ama’Gees Jamaican Cuisine, fairy hair, face painting, cornhole, Crossnet four square and fellowship.  

Taylor Family YMCA

Celebrating Juneteenth
Wednesday, June 19, 4:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Celebrate Juneteenth at the pool with food trucks and popsicles. We will have Juneteenth themed trivia and bingo and live music performed by volunteers!

Volunteer your musical talent for the Y on Juneteenth! We are looking for musicians ages 8 and up to play for our Juneteenth Celebration. Musicians will choose one piece of music by an African American composer to perform. Musicians will briefly explain the significance of the piece and artist, and why they chose it. The Y has an electric piano available for use. Sign up for a time to play between 5:30 and 7 p.m.

Local Events

Capital City Juneteenth Celebration 
Saturday, June 15
Gather your friends, families, lawn chairs and blankets for an afternoon of joyous festivities this community celebration promises an unforgettable experience for all at this year's Capital City Juneteenth Celebration.

Town of Cary
Saturday, June 15
Join us at the Park for a jubilant Juneteenth Celebration curated by Historian Darrell Stover.

Chapel Hill - Carrboro
Sunday, June 16
A coalition of local organizations invites you to be a part of Chapel Hill-Carrboro Juneteenth Celebration at Hargraves Community Center! Celebrate Black community and culture with live performances, Black-owned small business and non-profit expos, kids activities, food trucks, and more.

Apex
Saturday, June 15
This event, at The Depot (220 N. Salem Street) will celebrate this important day of African American history, promoting equity, respect, and understanding between people of all backgrounds and cultures. This year will be our third Juneteenth festival! There will be food trucks, performances and games for the whole family to enjoy! 

Wake Forest
Friday-Saturday, June 14-15
Free and open to the public, this year's Juneteenth Celebration will begin a Community Gathering and continue with a Freedom Walk that begins and ends at The Dubois Center, 518 N. Franklin St. Immediately following the Freedom Walk there will be food, activities, music, and more! 

Town of Clayton
Saturday, June 15
Join The Clayton Center as they present an unforgettable Juneteenth performance, "Soul of Langston." 

Chatham County (Pittsboro, NC)
Monday, June 17
In recognition of Juneteenth, Chatham Community Library will host, internationally known, multiple award winning storyteller, spoken word recording artist, and author Donna Washington  as she presents, "Tricksters, Triumphs and Traditions: Stories For Juneteenth". This program is free and open to the public.

North Carolina Art Museum (Raleigh, NC)
Saturday, June 14
This concert features 19-time Grammy-winning gospel music icon Kirk Franklin and his special guest, Stellar Award–winning songstress Maurette Brown Clark.


*This is by no means an exhaustive list of local Juneteenth events. See additional Triangle-area opportunities here.