Mesa Celebrates Juneteenth with Community Event

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~ Mesa, AZ - The City of Mesa, in collaboration with Mesa Community College (MCC) and the Mesa-East Valley Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Committee (MLK), is proud to announce the First Annual Juneteenth Celebration. This event will commemorate the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States and will be held on June 19 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at MCC's Southern and Dobson campus.

The celebration will feature a brief program at 7:15 p.m., which will include a proclamation from Mayor John Giles recognizing Juneteenth as an important day in American history. "Mesa's diversity is one of the strengths of our community, and I'm proud of the City's work to advance issues of equity and ensure all people are treated fairly," said Mayor Giles. "Juneteenth is a monumental event that reminds us not to lose focus on those values. I'm very happy that the City is partnering with the MLK Committee and MCC for this new community event, and I'm pleased to proclaim June 19 as Juneteenth Celebration Day in Mesa."

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The Juneteenth Proclamation holds great significance as it commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. On June 19, 1865, Texas became the last state to receive President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, officially notifying enslaved people of their freedom.

Keisha McKinnor, Chair of the Mesa-East Valley Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Committee, expressed her thoughts on this important day saying, "This Juneteenth proclamation carries the spirit of hope and an ongoing commitment to ensuring we all have access and freedom to live, learn, earn, persevere and prosper in this society." She added that it celebrates "the amazing resiliency of Black Americans on our continual journey in pursuit of liberty and equality."

This year's theme, "Rooted in Resilience," highlights the strength, determination, and perseverance of Black communities throughout history. It acknowledges the challenges they have overcome and the progress they continue to make. By embracing resilience, the celebration honors the legacy of those who fought for freedom and justice while recognizing the ongoing struggles for equality and equity.

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Juneteenth was officially recognized as a holiday in Arizona in 2016, making it the 45th state to do so. In 2021, it became a federal holiday when President Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day into law.

The Juneteenth celebration at MCC will feature various activities and locations for attendees to enjoy. These include a special edition planetarium show titled "Journey to Freedom: Navigating by the Stars," a Kids Zone with games, health screenings, an acclaimed DJ music performance by MCC, arts and culture vendors, food trucks, and more.

To make it easier for the public to participate in this event, Lyft is offering a $10 discount on rides to and from MCC for the first 100 users. Simply use the code "MESAJUNETEENTH" when booking your ride on June 19.

For more information about this year's Juneteenth celebration at MCC, please visit mesaevmlk.org/juneteenth. Don't miss out on this opportunity to celebrate an important day in American history while also honoring Black communities' resilience and progress.

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