CHICAGO - The Chicago Juneteenth Planning Coalition (CJPC) is a city-wide coalition of Black community members. This is the second year that the coalition has worked together. The group is coordinating Juneteenth programming on every side of Chicago from June 10th - June 20th, 2022. To promote their festivities, the coalition has created a website and released a collective flier.
There's a diversity of events for the public to choose from—over a dozen on the flier and a few more that will be added to the website. The majority of events are free and open to the public and take place at neighborhood parks. One event will be held throughout the entire DuSable Museum Campus. Cassieopia is the founder of the Black Mall and executive committee member of CJPC. Cassieopia is coordinating several Juneteenth events, including the event at DuSable Museum. "This is a Black Family Reunion!" says Cassieopia. "Come and enjoy the great music and family-oriented activities! This is a great way to honor our ancestors!" At the Dusable event on Sunday, June 19, 2022, there will be food and families can bring their own grill, if they register in advance.
"I think our community needs this right now." says LaCreshia Birts, co-chair of CJPC. "There has been a lot going on over the past few years. I think people really want to be outside and connect with their community. Juneteenth provides opportunity for Black Americans Descendants of Slavery to connect on a deeper level around our unique experience in this country. It also provides affirming and joyful experiences that help us envision a better future."
The first CJPC event kicks off tomorrow - Friday June 10th, 2022 at Malcolm X College. This event is hosted by Black Culture Week. It will feature a panel discussion from 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM. The discussion will be followed by a caravan ride throughout the city that takes off at 2:15 PM. The panel discussion at Malcom X will feature special guest Rev. Leo Woodberry from South Carolina who has been touring America's southern region and now midwest cities to provide information around climate justice. The panel will discuss how the Black community can think about tackling climate justice issues and other things impacting the Black community and its future.
This Saturday, June 11th, 2022 from 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM, there's a Juneteenth Block Party in Rogers Park. That event is being coordinated by Alderwoman Maria Hadden who initiated the Juneteenth holiday legislation for Chicago. The closing CJPC event is taking place on the far southside in the Pullman Community on Monday, June 20th, 2022 from 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM.
For information about other events, please visit: www.chiJuneteenth.org
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