| Date: | July 11, 2020 |
| Time: | 4:00 - 8:00 PM |
| Venue: | Christiansburg Institute |
| Organizations: | Christiansburg Institute Inc., Nikki Giovanni |
| Description: |
The Christiansburg Institute presents Juneteenth: A Celebration of Black Lives, Black Talent & Black Joy on Saturday, July 11, 2020. Celebrating Black lives and Black history is more important now than ever. In a time filled with so much anger and frustration we want to continue to carve out intentional moments for joy and healing. It is time to center our wellness, our voices, and our contributions to the greater community. This day of liberation will highlight so much of the Black talent we have right here in the New River and Roanoke Valleys. This peaceful nonviolent community gathering is free and open to the public. The celebration is being hosted at the historical site of the first high school in Southwest Virginia to educate the formerly enslaved, the Christiansburg Institute. Come out to support Black-owned businesses and artists! There will be restaurants and local businesses onsite selling food, apparel, services, giving consultations and demos. There will also be a line-up of speakers and live music to celebrate National Black Music Month emceed and DJ by the Chocolate Brothers Ent. Entertainment Line-Up: Musical Performers: • Dylan Dent • Bernadette BJ Lark, Community ARTS-reach Fitness Demonstrations: • Diane Simmons, Simply Fitness by Diane • Jonathan Steele, The Weight Club Speakers: • Nikki Giovanni, Author, Virginia Tech Distinguished Professor & Activist • Ashley Rhame, Creative Expressions • Bryan Hancock, Harvest Blaque • Pastor Jefferson Jones, Surge Ministries • Chris Sanchez, Christiansburg Institute • Karen Jones, NAACP Don't forget your dollars for the $1.00 Raffle! We will be raffling off products, gift certificates, and services throughout the evening. All proceeds from the raffle will be donated to a local social justice community organization. Bring your family, lawn chairs, blankets, face masks and get ready to have a great time! Social distancing will be upheld. The name Juneteenth is a contraction of June 18th and 19th, which were the dates in 1865 that the last slaves in Galveston, Texas found out that the Civil War was over and they had been freed. Celebrations all over the nation commemorate Black freedom and celebrate education and achievement. To view the event flyer, visit: https://i.imgur.com/Wjnlh46.jpg. To view the entertainment flyer, visit: https://i.imgur.com/LUqK6bB.jpg. For more information, visit: https://www.facebook.com/christiansburginstitute or https://www.facebook.com/events/314646769700453 or email christiansburginstituteinc@gmail.com. |