Juneteenth Resource Guide

Juneteenth Resource Guide from the Petey Greene Program

Juneteenth is a tribute to June 19th, 1865, when the last enslaved people learned of their freedom in Texas. It has since evolved into a day reflecting on and celebrating Black history and culture, while always acknowledging the progress we have yet to make and continuously pushing forward for racial justice. While the Petey Greene Program is reaffirming its commitment to education, reflection and action today, we acknowledge daily how race plays a significant role in our carceral system and educational access for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people. 

We hope this list of compiled resources will help to guide your day of education, reflection and action on racial justice - for this Juneteenth and beyond. 

Articles: 

• “Learn About and Celebrate Juneteenth” (PBS) 

• “The Historical Legacy of Juneteenth” (National Museum of African American History & Culture)

• “This Juneteenth is About Ending Mass Incarceration” (Giving Compass) 

• “Juneteenth: A Freedom Celebration Behind Bars” (Sunfighter, Archive, 1975) 

• “Partial Freedom: What Juneteenth Looks Like for Prisoners Like Us” (Common Dreams)

• “Celebrating Juneteenth at My Missouri Prison” (Prison Journalism Project)

• “Juneteenth is Incomplete While Slavery Persists in Prisons” (Vera Institute of Justice)

• “What is Juneteenth, How is it Celebrated, and Why Does it Matter?” (Teen Vogue)

Resources and Guides: 

• Explore the comprehensive virtual exhibit from the National Museum of African American History and Culture on Juneteenth and enjoy a recorded tour of their Slavery and Freedom exhibition 

• Watch videos from the Crash Course: Black American History series hosted by Clint Smith to learn more about key figures and historic moments 

• Listen to the “1619” podcast series from the New York Times observing the 400th anniversary of the beginning of slavery  

Books: 

If you are looking to purchase any of these books, check out this list of Black-owned independent bookstores to support through your shopping! 

• Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson 

• Solitary by Albert Woodfox 

• On Juneteenth by Annette Gordon-Read 

• The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America’s Great Migration by Isabel Wilkerson

• Come Juneteenth by Ann Rinaldi 

• Envisioning Emancipation: Black Americans and the End of Slavery by Deborah Willis and Barbara Krauthamer 

• Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America by Ibram X. Kendi 

• Sweet Taste of Liberty: A True Story of Slavery and Restitution in America by W. Caleb McDaniel 

Movies and Documentaries: 

• “13th” by Ava DuVernay (Netflix)

• “Summer of Soul” directed by Questlove (Hulu) 

• “Juneteenth: Faith and Freedom” (PBS) 

• “Slavery by Another Name” (PBS)

The IFC Center maintains a list of films about the Black experience that are available to stream online 

Songs and Albums: 

• “Songs in the Key of Life” by Stevie Wonder

• “Brick Body Kids Still Daydream” by Open Mike Eagle

• “A Seat at the Table” by Solange 

• “Mos Def and Talib Kweli Are Black Star” by Black Star 

• “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing” by James Weldon Johnson and J. Rosamond Johnson

• “Alright” by Kendrick Lamar

• “They Don’t Care About Us” by Michael Jackson 

Learn About Important Figures: 

• Opal Lee: Known as the “Grandmother of Juneteenth” who has been a lifelong advocate for making Juneteenth a national holiday 

• Al Edwards: Known as the “Father of Juneteenth” held a pivotal role in making Juneteenth an official state holiday in Texas

• Reverend Jack Yates: Often credited with organizing some of the earliest Juneteenth celebrations and played significant role in establishing Emancipation Park in Houston, Texas 

Events Across Our Regions: 

• Juneteenth NYC’s 3-Day Celebration from June 13 to June 19. See the full schedule of events and register here.

• Attend Harlem Grown’s first annual Juneteenth Celebration on June 22 honoring the Black community and its cultural roots in Harlem. Learn more about register here.

• Gather at Roy Wilkins Park for Juneteenth in Queens on June 19! 

• The African American Museum in Philadelphia is hosting a Block Party on Wednesday! The museum also has free entry (with registration) on Wednesday with a new exhibition, Imprint: Dox Thrash: Black Life and American Culture. 

• Eastern State Penitentiary is hosting a Juneteenth celebration with choir performances and panel discussions, which will also be viewable on Zoom. 

• Attend Metrobar’s Juneteenth Street Festival in Washington DC with fitness exercises and a festival with various vendors and music. 

• OneDC’s Community Juneteenth Event featuring live music, food, live art and information on how to get involved with organizing. 

• The Link Up: Juneteenth Edition is a celebration of Black excellence through a social mixer and networking event in Washington DC.

• Attend Juneteenth New Brunswick’s Parade beginning at 11AM! 

• Attend the 14th Annual Boston Juneteenth Emancipation Observance at the Museum of the National Center of Afro-American Artists in Boston on Wednesday.

• Enjoy an Open House celebrating Juneteenth at the Museum of Fine Arts 

• Visit the Concord Museum for a Juneteenth Family Program featuring performances from Benkadi Drum and Dance Company.