6th Annual MSU Juneteenth Commemorative Celebration

The 6th Annual MSU Juneteenth Commemorative Celebration will take place between June 15 to June 19. The week will begin with the Juneteenth Symposium on Monday, June 15, 2026, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Michigan State University Main Library. Doors will open at 4:30 p.m. This year's theme is Beyond Freedom: Building Futures, Protecting Our Past, and Activating Change.

Rooted in the spirit of freedom and community empowerment, the program highlights the ongoing work of civic engagement and volunteerism as vital tools for advancing justice and strengthening our communities. The event will begin with a panel conversation featuring local leaders and organizers who are actively shaping social change across the region. Panelists will share their experiences in advocacy, community organizing, and public service while exploring the importance of civic participation, grassroots leadership, and sustained volunteer engagement in addressing today’s most pressing social challenges.

Following the panel discussion, participants will have the opportunity to engage in a series of interactive workshops designed to deepen community knowledge. The workshops include:

• Recipes of Resistance: Food, Culture, and Community Memory

• Piecing the Past: Quilts, Stories, and the Legacy of Juneteenth

• Tracing Our Roots: Genealogy, Archives, and Family Histories

• Nature’s Medicine: Herbal Traditions and Holistic Health

• The Justice League of Greater Lansing Michigan: A Faith-based Approach to Reparations

Students, staff, faculty, alumni, and local community members are encouraged to save the date for the celebration. There are activities for all ages.

For additional information, please visit the MSU Juneteenth website.

Photos

A photographer will be taking pictures throughout the event. These photos will be used for future event promotion, annual reports, and thank you messages. Those who will be mentioned by name will be notified. Photography and video recording can occur at programs, where people in the background may be captured on camera. At MSU, we value consent and will be thoughtful in considering the use of such photography, filming, and/or recording in any university use. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact [email protected].

Info: Food will be provided. Guests are encouraged to arrive early for check-in and to grab dinner. Program will start promptly at 5PM

Info: Panelists will share their experiences in advocacy, community organizing, and public service while exploring the importance of civic participation, grassroots leadership, and sustained volunteer engagement in addressing today’s most pressing social challenges. Panelists include Lee June and Shirley June with the Lansing NAACP Chapter, Prince Solace and Willye Bryan with the Justice League of Greater Lansing Michigan, and Miah Gill, MSU student leader.

Info:
Recipes of Resistance: Food, Culture, and Community Memory - A Panel of Local Food Entrepreneurs
Piecing the Past: Quilts, Stories, and the Legacy of Juneteenth with Liv Furman

Tracing Our Roots: Genealogy, Archives, and Family Histories with Shay Sandoval-Flores

Nature’s Medicine: Herbal Traditions and Holistic Health with Kelsi Briana Smith

The Justice League of Greater Lansing Michigan: A Faith-based Approach to Reparations with the Justice League of Greater Lansing Michigan

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