Hi friends,
I felt compelled to share the many different events happening around town in the next few days. Enjoy and stay cool!
- Sophia
Events to commemorate Juneteenth - In 1863, the Emancipation Proclamation officially ended slavery. But it wasn’t until two years later - June 19th, 1865 - that the last enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, learned they were free. That day became known as Juneteenth, or Freedom Day. Last year, President Biden declared Juneteenth a federal holiday, and just two months ago, Emory University announced it would be observing Juneteenth on Monday, June 20th.
There are events all around metro Atlanta to mark the holiday - check out this list from Atlanta Magazine and this one from Decaturish.
There are two events in particular I wanted to point out -
The Juneteenth festival on Market Street in Clarkston is being hosted by the City of Clarkston in collaboration with Wow Africa. The event will include food, music, and storytelling as well as a celebration for graduating class of Amani Women's Center’s Sewing Academy. Saturday, June 18th. 10am-2pm. Downtown Market Street, Clarkston. More details here.
And - Emory University is hosting a Juneteenth event with local artist Charmaine Minniefield that will feature a visit to the King Historic District to see her mural depicting ring shout - a ritual people performed during slavery that Ms. Minniefield has documented all over the Americas as well as recently traced back to her roots in Gambia, West Africa. She also has an exhibit ongoing until September 11th at the Carlos Museum at Emory. Saturday, June 18th. 5pm. More details here.
El Refugio in Lumpkin is re-opening their hospitality house this weekend. This Saturday, June 18th, El Refugio’s hospitality house in Lumpkin will be reopening for the first time in two years. El Refugio is a non-profit supporting families of those detained in the Stewart Detention Center (SDC). The hospitality house is just two miles down the road from SDC and provides food and lodging for those visiting their loved ones in detention. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced in May that it would gradually bring back social visitation in detention facilities, after a two year shut down because of the pandemic.
“We do not know what will happen when we reopen, but we know that we need to be present for anyone who needs support and a place to stay,” said Amilcar Valencia, executive director of El Refugio. “This has always been our role, to be present for people at SDC and their loved ones.” For those interested in staying at El Refugio’s house contact 404.480.4780. And here’s info on how to support their reopen-the-house fund.
Father's Day - Plaza Fiesta is hosting a Día del Padre Fiesta on Sunday that will feature multiple performances including live mariachi and give away gifts for fathers. Sunday, June 19th. 2pm - 5pm. 4166 Buford Hwy NE, Atlanta, GA 30345. More details here.
World Refugee Day - Chai Pani in Decatur is donating 10 percent of dinner sales to the IRC in Atlanta on Monday, in honor of World Refugee Day. IRC staff will be at the restaurant to answer questions about resettlement and provide info about ways to get involved with their work. Monday, June 20th. 406 W Ponce de Leon Ave, Decatur, GA 30030. 5pm - 8pm. More info here.
