LOCAL EVENTS
Crys Matthews Concert – Already being hailed as “the next Woody Guthrie,” Nashville resident Crys Matthews is among the brightest stars of the new generation of social justice music-makers. A powerful lyricist whose songs of compassionate dissent reflect her lived experience. Come see her performance Sunday, June 16th at 3:00 PM, Belleville Congregational Church, 300 High Street Newburyport, MA 01950. Belleville Roots Music Series
WJOP 96.3 FM Joppa Radio Newburyport – Joppa Radio celebrates Juneteenth beginning at 6:00 AM on Wednesday, June 19th and ending at 6:00 AM on Thursday, June 20th. Tune in to 96.3 or stream live on www.ncmhub.org to hear a marathon of Black musical works, composers, songs, poems and more.
City Hall Flag Raising Ceremony – We will kick off the day with a keynote speaker, music, food and the raising of the Juneteenth flag. Join us Wednesday, June 19th at 12:00 PM in front of city hall (60 Pleasant Street, Newburyport).
YWCA FREE Block Party! Immediately following the flag raising, head over to the YWCA of Greater Newburyport. There will be entertainment, activities, open swim and vendors. Be sure to also visit Haiti born artist Youveline Joseph’s art display. Her Afrocentric painting style uses a combination of cowrie shells, crystals, and glitter to personalize her artworks. Wednesday, June 19th from 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM, 13 Market Street, Newburyport. All YWCA Block Party events are FREE and open to the public!
Block Party Entertainment includes:
- Angela Francis and the Rope Burners Double Dutch
- Greg Coles Dance & Drum
- Chris Walton, Singer/Songwriter
The Right to Read – Right to Read shares the stories of an activist, a teacher, and two American families who fight to provide our youngest generation with the most foundational indicator of life-long success: the ability to read. As the film’s main subject Kareem Weaver (Oakland-based NAACP activist) believes, literacy is one of the greatest civil rights issues of our time. Wednesday, June 19th at 7 PM at the Screening Room (82 State Street, Newburyport).
CELEBRATE
BOSTON AREA EVENTS
Juneteenth Flag Raising wNSJA – June 11, 6:00 PM, Lynn City Hall, Lynn
Juneteenth Jubilee – June 15, 2023 – 3:00pm to 5:00pm, Swampscott Town Hall, 22 Monument Ave., Swampscott
Benkadi Drum and Dance – June 15, 10:30 – 11:30 AM, Smith Center, JFK Presidential Library and Museum, Boston
Juneteenth Jubilee Lowell – June 15, 12:00 – 6:00 PM, Muldoon Park, 5 Billerica Street, Lowell
Juneteenth Block Party – June 15, 12:00 – 5:00 PM, Woburn Public Library, 36 Cummings Park, Woburn
Newton Juneteenth Celebration – June 15, 12:00 – 4:00 PM, Hyde Bandstand at Hyde Playground, 90 Lincoln St., Newton
Juneteenth Gathering – June 16, 12:30 – 3:00 PM, Longfellow House – Washington’s Headquarters National Historic Site, 105 Brattle St., Cambridge, MA
Embrace Ideas Festival – June 18-21, Boston. The Embrace Ideas Festival is a multi-day event spread out across multiple venues in in Boston, MA.
Juneteenth Celebration – June 22, 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM, Lynn Museum, 590 Washington St., Lynn
SEIU AFRAM Massachusetts Juneteenth Gala Fundraiser – June 22, 6:00 – 10:00 PM,108 Myrtle Street #4 Quincy
LEARN
- Visit the Newburyport Public Library and check out the dedicated adult and children’s Juneteenth book display celebrating Black authors
- Visit a museum or exhibit dedicated to Black culture:
- Museum of Fine Arts will offer free admission on Wednesday, June 19th
- Concord Black Heritage Tour
- Read books about Black history or written by Black authors
- Museum of African American History in Boston
ACT
- Shop and eat at Black owned businesses and restaurants
- Join Boston chapter of Showing Up for Racial Justice
- Get on the mailing list of the Anti-Racism Affinity Group by contacting mentalchatter@yahoo.com
- Join the Boston Chapter Concord Black Heritage Tour
- Join Boston Knapsack Anti-Racism Group, (this is a Meetup Group, which coordinates some really useful discussions/trainings)
- Join Facebook groups such as Amesbury Stands Against Racism, Anti-Racists of Newburyport, Anti-Racism Affinity Group of Greater Newburyport, COCO Brown (also home of POSE Inc.-Haverhill), Merrimac Anti-Racism Alliance, United American Indians of New England (UAINE group), & Women in Action Huddle of Greater Newburyport
- Place a BLM sign in your window: https://www.signsofjustice.com/products/black-lives-matter-yard-sign?variant=32185049317418