the 3rd annual
517
juneteenth
weekend
REO Town
BACK IN REO TOWN IN 2023!
The 517 Juneteenth Weekend is a unique opportunity for the Mid-Michigan region to celebrate Black culture, expression, and experiences. Attracting thousands of participants to Lansing’s REO Town Corridor, the 517 Juneteenth Weekend recognizes the emancipation of African-American slaves in the United States of America. On June 19, 1865, a declaration of freedom was issued in Galveston, TX, freeing Black people who remained enslaved after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed in 1862.
Juneteenth is recognized annually, and has been celebrated widely among the Black community for decades. In 2005, Michigan’s 47th Governor, Jennifer Granholm, signed a legislation that officially preserved the third Saturday of June as the Juneteenth Freedom Day in Michigan. Then in 2020, Michigan’s current Governor, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, signed a proclamation making June 19th as “Juneteenth Celebration Day”. Today, Juneteenth is recognized as a federal holiday, and more and more people are finding ways to recognize and celebrate Juneteenth.
Although Juneteenth has gained mainstream popularity in recent years, the celebration of culture, expression, and experience is nothing new in the 517. Ourspace (517) works as a bridge that connects Black arts and culture to the Lansing community at-large, creates platforms to promote Black-led businesses and entrepreneurship, provides high-quality programming that is free and accessible, and much more.
Stop in to REO Town during our 4-day Juneteenth Weekend in 2023, from June 15th - June 18th. Also, be sure check out other regional Juneteenth Celebrations, including:
Michigan State University Juneteenth Celebration
Meridian Township Juneteenth
Lansing Juneteenth Celebration (St. Joe Park)
Jackson Juneteenth Celebration
Visit the Official 517 Juneteenth Weekend Website to stay updated.
Full Schedule (details below)
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Black History. Black Future. Seminar & Mixer
Thursday, June 15th
6PM (seminar) | 8PM (mixer)
Leveraging Culture for Economic Growth
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Juneteenth ice cream social
Friday, June 16th
4PM - 6PM
Free ice cream, activities for the family, music, and more
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517 Juneteenth Festival
Saturday, June 17th
3:30PM - 10PM
Live performances, Black-Owned vendors, Kidz Zone, Food, and much more
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Father's day brunch and jazz
Sunday, June 18th
1:30PM - 4:30PM
Fully catered brunch menu and jazz performances. Menu below:
black history.
Black future.
seminar & mixer
thursday, june 15
The Cadillac Room - 1115 S Washington Ave - (REO Town)
Time: 6PM (seminar) | 8PM (mixer)
BLACK HISTORY. BLACK FUTURE.: Leveraging Culture for Economic Growth (Seminar + Mixer)
For Day 1 of the 517 Juneteenth Weekend, Culture and Education collide for the 'Black History. Black Futures. Seminar' taking place in REO Town's Cadillac Room. The event delves into how culture can be leveraged for economic growth, discovering intersections between entrepreneurship, education, financial literacy, and community investment.
Jaz Jackson, owner of JSCULPT Fitness, delivers a keynote address sharing her journey as a Black Woman entrepreneur that leveraged culture to create a multi-million dollar fitness brand that centers Black and Brown women.
In addition, a special panel discussion will delve into culture for economic growth, featuring Tony Willis (Chief Development Officer at Lansing Economic Advancement Partnership), Dwayne Powell Jr. ( VP of Community Development at PNC Bank), and Dr. Rashida Harrison (DEI Strategist and Professor at Michigan State University).
Guest Moderators include Screenwriter/Filmmaker and Professor, Jeffrey C. Wray, and EBONY Magazine Correspondent and Digital Content Creator, Jenn Rodriguez.
A mixer will follow after the seminar, including music, drinks, and refreshments.
517 Juneteenth
ice cream social
friday, june 16
1146 S Washington Ave & South St (dead end) - (REO Town)
Time: 4PM - 6PM
This year’s 517 Juneteenth Ice Cream Social features FREE cold treats by our friends at Sweet Encounter!
Special thanks to our Ice Cream Social Sponsor, Milk Means More, for making this event possible! This event is open to all, with activities for youth of all ages!
0-5 year’s old will be able to engage with PNC’s Mobile Learning Adventure, which features a Craft Area, Storytelling Tree, Giveaways, a “When I Grow Up” photo station, and much more.
For our Elementary aged youth, Impression 5 Science Center will be doing hands-on science experiments. You’ll also find games and inflatables throughout our Kidz Zone!
All of the Above Hip-Hop Academy will also be out DJ’ing and leading breakdancing cyphers for youth of all ages!
We’ll see you in REO Town for the Annual 517 Juneteenth Ice Cream Social!
517 juneteenth
festival
3rd Annual
saturday, June 17
REO Town - S. Washington Ave (South St - Elm St)
Time: 3:30PM - 10PM
Mid-Michigan’s largest cultural celebration, the 517 Juneteenth Festival, is back for the 3rd annual festival. Bringing in thousands of attendees to the REO Town corridor, the festival features performances by national and internationally recognized Black artists of all genres, over 60 Black-owned vendors lined down both sides of S. Washington Ave, a foodcourt featuring Michigan-based/Black-owned food trucks and restaurant vendors, our fully stocked Kidz Zone, equipped with inflatables, 3-point shootouts, games, and obstacle courses, PNC’s Mobile Learning Adventure, and much more.
Special live performances by Grammy-Nominated R&B Singer/Songwriter, Kenyon Dixon, Grammy Award Winning Singer, Songwriter, and Producer, Gwen Bunn, jazz musician, artist, and singer, Brandon Rose, legendary Gospel group, The Singleton’s, and more.
Come dance, sing, support locally Black-Owned businesses, let the kiddo’s play, and celebrate with us at this year’s 517 Juneteenth Festival!
father’s day brunch
and jazz
sunday, june 18
The Cadillac Room - 1115 S Washington Ave - (REO Town)
Time: 1:30PM - 4:30 PM
Join us for a celebration of Fatherhood and culture for this year’s 517 Juneteenth Father’s Day Brunch & Jazz.
MENU - catered by Bishop’s Kitchen
Fried Chicken + Waffles, Fried Catfish, Shrimp + Grits, French Toast, Potatoes, Eggs, Pork Bacon, Sausage (turkey + veggie), Danishes, Croissants, Donuts, Seasonal Fruit, Chocolate Bar, and more
Mimosa’s Available
Music by Trilogy Band
