6 pm, Monday, June 17
Municipal Services Center, 3600 Tremont Road

We invite you to join members of City Council, the Community Relations Committee, and the City’s Administration on the Plaza of the Municipal Services Center for a UA Juneteenth recognition program and the raising of the Juneteenth flag.

The ceremony will feature keynote speaker, Stephanie Hightower, President and CEO of the Columbus Urban League. A passionate advocate for social justice and racial equity, Ms. Hightower has transformed the organization into an effective force in helping individuals and families overcome poverty and achieve self-sufficiency. Ms. Hightower’s professional portfolio includes a wealth of experiences in athletics, education, and public service. Those opportunities propelled her toward the pursuit of excellence and to advocate for equality, equity, and fairness in her leadership roles in K-12 and higher education, government affairs, amateur athletics, and the not-for-profit human services.

A musical performance will be provided by members of Urban Strings Columbus. Founded in 2007, Urban Strings recruits and supports urban, African American and Minority Youth, providing them with instruction and inspiring them to become accomplished string musicians.

Light refreshments will be available.

About Juneteenth
Juneteenth is an annual holiday that commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the US. Juneteenth was first recognized and celebrated on June 19, 1865 in Galveston, Texas, when African-Americans were informed of their freedom and that the Civil War had ended. The holiday has since received its name by combining June and 19, it is also referred to as Liberation Day, Black Independence Day, and Freedom Day.

In 2021, the President signed legislation establishing Juneteenth as the newest federal holiday since the recognition of Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday. Many municipalities and communities around the US take this time to commemorate and celebrate this important day in history – to not only reflect on the impacts of this part of American history, but to consider the steps toward liberation that have been and continue to be achieved through building relationships based on trust, consistency and accountability. Recognition of Juneteenth also represents a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, and support of the Black community.

Juneteenth is celebrated with red, black, and green – the colors of the Pan-African flag. This particular flag honors the mass dispersion of African people during the Transatlantic Slave Trade from the 1500s to the 1800s (African Diaspora) and symbolizes Black independence and freedom.

To learn more about Juneteenth, click here.

The City will observe Juneteenth on Monday, June 19, with City offices closed for the day. The community’s Solid Waste collection schedule will not be affected by this holiday.