Dr. Kimeka Campbell
Photo by Chris Gordon
Dr. Kimeka Campbell knows that, not only do many hands make light work, but the more that community members collaborate, the stronger Harrisburg becomes.
One city. One team. One impact.
That’s the motto for Juneteenth HBG, an annual celebration spearheaded by Young Professionals of Color-Greater Harrisburg (YPOC), of which Campbell is the co-founder.
The team has brought together leaders from Harrisburg’s art, religious, theater, health, academic and music scenes to create this year’s lineup of events.
“When you bring together the talented people in the city, you have something really nice,” Campbell said.
This is the third year that YPOC will hold Juneteenth HBG to celebrate the holiday, on June 19, commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. June 19, 1865 is recognized as the day when the remaining Black slaves in Texas received word that they were free. Juneteenth was officially recognized as a national holiday in 2021.
Juneteenth HBG has grown each year, with 2023 offering a list of events encompassing everything from history to art to education. Events already kicked off in May with a historic walking tour, homeownership class, economic panel and environmental festival. June’s events are gearing up and will take place in mid-June.
First up is the Juneteenth Conference, a daylong event at both HACC and the National Civil War Museum on June 10. Author, activist and TV personality Marc Lamont Hill will present the keynote address and other speakers will discuss topics surrounding homeownership, business, Black history, health and wellness and community development.
A new event this year will be the Juneteenth Interfaith Church Service at Greater Zion Missionary Baptist Church to highlight the importance of Black churches in the African American community.
Frank Henley
Frank Henley, founder and artistic director at Harrisburg’s Narçisse Theatre Company, is especially excited about one of the month’s events. On June 14, the theater will host a Black Performance Arts Showcase featuring dance, music, spoken word, theater and more.
Narçisse recently moved to a new location on Chestnut Street downtown and plans to hold its grand opening this month, before the showcase.
“The event is going to focus on Black performance art through its many forms,” Henley said. “We are trying to show the strength and transformative power of the arts.”
The show will pay homage to those who lost their lives during slavery, as well as those who made it through, and will spotlight the ways that the Black community has found joy in times of sorrow, Henley explained.
Another arts event, “Evolution: The Revision of Black Arts Expo,” at the Susquehanna Art Museum, will showcase work by local artists on the past, present and future of Black history. Attendees can also participate in an interactive paint session.
Closing out the week, on June 17, will be a Juneteenth concert, and the capstone event, Juneteenth Jubilee, will take place on June 18 at HACC. The concert, at XL Live, will celebrate 50 years of hip-hop and artists like Michel’le, Soul for Real, Zhane, Shai and Jeff Redd will take the stage. Juneteenth Jubilee will highlight small, Black-owned businesses and vendors, offer activities for families and have food trucks on site.
Through all of the wide range of events, the focus will be on Juneteenth and what it means for, not only the Black community, but for the community as a whole, Campbell shared. Events like homeownership and economic classes address the systemic issues and impact of slavery, while others like the art and theater events spotlight Black culture and the freedom found in creating and telling a story.
“Harrisburg has the culture, and we are trying to amplify that in all that we do,” Campbell said. “The week is about celebrating the life and culture of the Black community, which we believe goes hand-in-hand with emancipation.”
Since Juneteenth became a national holiday and, with YPOC’s promotion of the celebration over the years, Campbell believes more people are recognizing and understanding the holiday’s significance. But there’s still educational work to be done, and Campbell is hopeful that Juneteenth HBG’s events help further that work.
“It’s not just about recognizing Juneteenth as a holiday, but understanding the history,” she said. “Black history and Juneteenth and emancipation are American history.”
Juneteenth HBG will take place at locations around the city June 10 to 18. For more information, visit www.ypoc-hbg.org.
On Your Calendar
Make plans to attend one or more of these Juneteenth events:
Juneteenth Conference
June 10, 10 a.m.
HACC & National Civil War Museum
Juneteenth Church Service
June 11, 10 a.m.
Greater Zion Missionary Baptist Church
Topixx Tuesday Juneteenth HBG Edition
June 13, 7 p.m.
Hurston Manor
Black Performance Arts Showcase
June 14, 6:30 p.m., doors open at 6 p.m.
Narçisse Theatre
Evolution: The Revision of Black Art Expo
June 15, 5 p.m.
Susquehanna Art Museum
UPMC Healthy Harrisburg Kick-off
June 17, 9 a.m.
Soldier’s Grove
Juneteenth Concert
June 17, 8 p.m., doors open at 7 p.m.
XL Live
Juneteenth Jubilee
June 18, 12 p.m.
HACC
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