Join your friends, family and neighbors for
JUNETEENTH: CELEBRATING FREEDOM
Two Great Ways to Celebrate!
Film: GOING TO MARS: THE NIKKI GIOVANNI PROJECT
Tuesday, June 18, 5 - 8 pm
at the Rosewood Arts Center
Free Admission!
This award-winning documentary travels through time and space to reveal the enduring influence of Nikki Giovanni, one of America’s greatest living artists and social commentators.
Featuring the voice of Taraji P. Henson. (2023, Runtime 1 hour 36 minutes)
Whether you’re familiar with Nikki Giovanni or not, this documentary will warm your soul. - Christopher Campbell, Nonfics
Nikki Giovanni is so cool... Just being in her presence is more than enough.
- Christy Lemire, FilmWeek
ALSO: Student Winners of the 2024 Martin Luther King Jr. Contest
Wednesday, June 19, 5 - 8 pm
at the Lincoln Park Civic Commons
Free Admission!
Live Music: LUV LOCZ EXPERIMENT
Kettering’s family-friendly Juneteenth celebration features food trucks, local vendors, crafts for kids and the amazing LUV LOCZ EXPERIMENT! This Dayton-based, reggae-infused, funk ’n soul band brings a unique sound and the perfect energy to the celebration! From original music to their own twist on favorite tunes, you’ll be transported to the islands to dance your troubles away. https://fraze.com/juneteenth-2024/
Juneteenth Sponsorship Opportunities click here
Juneteenth Vendor Opportunities click here
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:
GREATER DAYTON RTA
MONTGOMERY COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
MIAMI VALLEY FAIR HOUSING CENTER
MCGOHAN BRABENDER
THE MODERN COLLEGE OF DESIGN
VENDORS:
DIAMOND DAIQUIRIS
SWEET P'S HANDCRAFTED ICE POPS
SCOODY'S BBQ
D FISH & D CHICKEN
TRAVELIN' TOM'S COFFEE
BEAUTY BY DANI
POMMIE'S SOAPS &THINGS
KETTERING BACKPACK PROGRAM
YMCA
WE CARE ARTS
CARESOURCE
DAYTON METRO LIBRARY BOOKMOBILE
GREATER DAYTON RTA BUS
SICKLE CELL CENTER AT DAYTON CHILDREN'S
MIAMI VALLEY FAIR HOUSING CENTER
LIFE CONNECTIONS OF OHIO
The City of Kettering Proclamation on Diversity
Kettering is home to people with varying backgrounds, incomes, religions, ethnicities, ages and experiences. It is a community that strives to be a welcoming, safe place where everyone feels valued. The City of Kettering denounces racism in all its forms. Beyond merely acknowledging the history and existence of racism in the United States, we continue to focus on strengthening equity in our local institutions, policies and programs. We affirm a commitment to anti-racism, fairness and justice for all of our citizens, neighbors and visitors.
BEAUTY BY DANI
What is Juneteenth?
While the Emancipation Proclamation of January 1, 1863, had freed enslaved people in all the Southern secessionist states, change wasn’t instant and word traveled slowly. In June 1865, Texas was the last remaining state in the Confederacy to still hold institutional slavery. On June 19, 1865, federal troops arrived in Galveston to take control of the state and proclaim freedom for the enslaved people of Texas.
In June 2021, Congress passed a resolution establishing Juneteenth as a national holiday, which President Biden signed into law on June 17, 2021. Kettering officially recognized Juneteenth as a holiday in 2022.
We’re so glad you’ve joined us to celebrate the essential importance of our shared freedom, because as Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “No one is free until we are all free.”
About the Event Organizers
The Board of Community Relations promotes and encourages the creation and maintenance of an inclusive community by fostering equal opportunities for all persons. The Board is made up of volunteer community members who use their time of service to engage with the community through activities such as movie showings, annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. essay contests and more. For more information visit www.ketteringoh.org/board-of-community-relations
The Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Department provides quality parks, recreation and cultural arts that make Kettering home. As a department and a city, we strive to provide equitable and meaningful access to all of our services. We work closely with the City of Kettering’s Compliance and Inclusion office, the Kettering City Schools, and various community partners to ensure opportunities for all people. For more information, visit www.playkettering.org
Special thank you to those who made this program possible:
Kettering City Council:
Peggy Lehner, Mayor
Jacque Fisher, Vice Mayor, At Large
Jyl Hall, At Large
Lisa Duvall, District 1
Bob Scott, District 2
Shane Sullivan, District 3
Bryan Suddith, District 4
Matt Greeson, City Manager
Mary Beth O’Dell, Director of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts
Tom Robillard, Planning and Development Director
The Juneteenth Planning Committee:
Bryan Suddith, Council Liaison to Board of Community Relations
Calvin Frazer, Operations Coordinator, Fraze Pavilion
Tawana Jones, Board of Community Relations
Shayna McConville, Division Manager of Cultural Arts
Gwen Owen, Board of Community Relations Chair
Angela Rahman, Staff Liaison to Board of Community Relations
The City of Kettering Proclamation on Diversity
Kettering is home to people with varying backgrounds, incomes, religions, ethnicities, ages and experiences. It is a community that strives to be a welcoming, safe place where everyone feels valued. The City of Kettering denounces racism in all its forms. Beyond merely acknowledging the history and existence of racism in the United States, we continue to focus on strengthening equity in our local institutions, policies and programs. We affirm a commitment to anti-racism, fairness and justice for all of our citizens, neighbors and visitors.