Juneteenth 2023 concert. Photo by John Bivins Photography.
For Dr. Kimeka Campbell, Juneteenth is a time to showcase Harrisburg and the integral part that the Black community plays in the city’s progress.
She and the Young Professionals of Color-Greater Harrisburg (YPOC), of which she is the co-founder, will do that by highlighting Black history and culture through week-long Juneteenth celebrations.
“We want to showcase all that the city has to celebrate,” Campbell said. “Black Harrisburg has been integral to the success of Harrisburg since the beginning.”
YPOC’s fifth annual Juneteenth HBG celebrations kick off on June 15 and run through June 21, with a special Juneteenth Jubilee on the holiday itself, June 19.
Special events will include a Juneteenth Summit with keynote speaker Angela Rye, a Juneteenth Summer Vibes concert featuring Ghostface Killah and Jim Jones, a Black Arts Expo and a Cultural Arts Celebration at Narcisse Theatre downtown. Additionally, local youth can participate in a Juneteenth History Bowl and the community is invited to a special SoMa block party in collaboration with Juneteenth HBG.
The Juneteenth Jubilee is the focal point of the week, marking the holiday with Black-owned business vendors, family-friendly entertainment, kids’ activities and food trucks on City Island, from 12 to 5 p.m.
This year’s jubilee will be the biggest one yet.
“It’s a bigger collaboration with so many more folks so it’s really exciting,” Campbell said. “We are trying to model collaborative unity and what that looks like for real, because there are too many things that break people apart.”
The number of collaborative events and sponsorships this year makes Campbell especially hopeful and excited about not only the festivities, but also the recognition of Juneteenth as a holiday.
“I think people are taking us seriously this year,” Campbell said.
Juneteenth was designated a federal national holiday in 2021, recognizing the end of slavery in the United States, but has been long celebrated by the Black community.
Harrisburg itself has a history of being a crossroads for abolition and the Underground Railroad, Campbell explained.
“I strive to make sure that Harrisburg is connected to the national scene in that way,” she said. “So why highlight Harrisburg? Harrisburg was pivotal in abolitionism around the country.”
Through all of the Juneteenth events, Campbell hopes to highlight that history, celebrate Black culture and the nation’s progress and also discuss injustices that still exist and needed advocacy.
Campbell expects thousands of people to participate in Juneteenth activities during the week and encourages people to RSVP to events so they can get an accurate count.
For some events, such as the Juneteenth Summit and the concert, tickets must be purchased.
Juneteenth HBG events will take place on the following days:
- Juneteenth Summer Vibes Concert—June 15, XL Live, tickets are $15
- Juneteenth Press Conference—June 17, K. Leroy Irvis Building, Harrisburg
- Black Arts Expo—June 17, WITF
- Juneteenth History Bowl, June 17, WITF
- Juneteenth Summit, June 18, Harrisburg University (keynote address will be at the Forum Auditorium)
- Juneteenth Jubilee, June 19, City Island
- Cultural Arts Celebration, June 20, Narcisse Theatre
- SoMa block party, June 21, on S. 3rd St., between Market and Chestnuts streets
For more information about Juneteenth HBG and to get tickets, visit their website.
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