The 30th annual City of Memphis Juneteenth festival kicked off Saturday, June 17, at 10 a.m. in Health Sciences Park honoring Black history, culture and freedom. 

More than 100 vendors offering items from clothing and accessories to food and free health screenings across the park, which is located in the heart of Downtown’s Medical District.

Juneteenth roots run deep in Douglass neighborhood

Telisa Franklin is the president of Memphis Juneteenth and has run the festival since its inception. Franklin said 2020 was an awakening for the Juneteenth holiday during the George Floyd and Breonna Taylor cases. 

“That brought more of a social justice to the culture, especially for African Americans and non-African Americans that have a love for human beings,” Franklin said. “At the end of the day, we’re all human beings being in America.

“Juneteenth means freedom.”

Without a cloud in the sky early Saturday, vendors put the finishing touches on their booths as attendees perused the park, which also featured a classic car show and live entertainment. 

Near the north end of the park Bar-Kays lead singer Larry Dodson manned a VIP tent near the entertainment stage. The Bar-Kays are a Memphis-based funk band first formed in 1964. 

Memphis will celebrate Juneteenth with a variety of events

As The Staple Singers’ rhythm and blues classic “I’ll Take You There” wailed just next to Dodson from the stage area near Madison Avenue, he said the Juneteenth holiday is becoming more of a fixture in society and is something all people should know about.

“Overall, the dignitaries and politicians here are understanding that people need to know more about Juneteenth,” Dodson said. “Kids need to know about it, and people need to know about it because if we don’t talk to our kids about our heritage and our history, they won’t know.”

Dodson noted those who weren’t aware of the Juneteenth holiday or are just learning about it are in good company. 

“Juneteenth was hidden from Black people for years; so many didn’t even know they were free,” Dodson said. “It has a hard, dismal origin, but we’ve come through it, and now Black people and people of all ethnicities celebrate it.”

Juneteenth, officially made a federal holiday by President Joe Biden in 2021, commemorates June 19, the day enslaved people were emancipated in the United States in 1865.

Memphis will celebrate Juneteenth with a variety of events

At the center of the festival was the “Juneteenth Museum,” a display of signs and literature telling the history of Juneteenth and how the holiday came to be. Intertwined with the historical information were signs showing quotes by famous civil rights leaders and historical figures, including Martin Luther King Jr., Maya Angelou and Abraham Lincoln.

Monica Gipson, 44, owns Flaunt by Monica, an artwork and accessories company with an Afro-centric aesthetic.

Gipson noted starting her own business as a Black woman is liberating, and having the opportunity to work the festival encourages her as a female business owner. 

“I think it’s important to celebrate Black business because in other ethnicities, sometimes it’s instilled in them what to do in life: ‘graduate high school, get a degree, start a business,’” Gipson said. “We don’t get a lot of that.”

Gipson said encouragement and openness toward Black businesses is a part of commemorating Juneteenth, and positivity goes a long way. 

Memphis will celebrate Juneteenth with a variety of events

“I think a lot of times when Black people get their foot in the door, it just gives us a boost of confidence to know we can start a business, we can do this,” Gipson said. “Sometimes that faith is all you need.”

Near the park’s west end, a group of local youths jumped double-dutch to the sounds of Kris Kross’ 1992 hit “Jump.”

Festival attendee Diane D. Brown was on the sidelines as the group performed. Brown said it’s important to commemorate Juneteenth and said she’s pleased it was made a national holiday.

‘I want my books to show children ... their voices do matter’

“So many of our forefathers have died for us,” Brown said. “We need to know where we have come from and where we are now.”

Brown said she hopes the festival is a source of hope for the city, particularly for Memphis young people.

“With all of the violence here, maybe festivals like this will reach some of our youth that’s creating these problems,” Brown said. “That’s another reason why this is important.”

Dodson noted the diversity and communal aspect of the City of Memphis Juneteenth Festival and was happy more individuals are learning about the holiday. 

“Memphis loves Juneteenth, man; I mean people really come out for this, and you can see it here today,” Dodson said. “There’s more good in us that keeps us together than what divides us. At the end of the day, I do believe that.”