Chuhak & Tecson, P.C. observes Juneteenth

Chuhak & Tecson, P.C. is proud to acknowledge Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day. While Juneteenth has been celebrated in many communities across the U.S. for generations, it was first established as a federal holiday in 2021. It commemorates the day that the news of Abraham Lincoln’s 1863 Emancipation Proclamation finally reached the enslaved people in Galveston Bay, Texas, thereby making official the freedom of more than 250,000 slaves living in the formerly Confederate-controlled state over two years after the executive decree went into effect. The holiday name is derived from the actual day the news was announced, i.e., a combination of “June” and “nineteenth.”

Many celebrations will be taking place to celebrate this special day, including the following events being held online and around the Greater Chicago area. Here are just a few.

Juneteenth: Celebrating Resilience Online Exhibition

The National Museum of African-American History and Culture has created an exciting, interactive online exhibit. Featuring stories, photographs, videos and live presentations, Juneteenth: Celebrating Resilience explores the history and origins of Juneteenth, the legacy of slavery, the ongoing impacts of racism on Black Americans and communities of color and contemporary ways to celebrate. The exhibit also includes hands-on activities for families to complete together. The Museum’s parent guide offers detailed guidance on addressing this complex and challenging topic in an age-appropriate and historically accurate manner.

Juneteenth Village Fest

Saturday, June 15; 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.; Free entry. Douglass (Anna and Frederick) Park; 1470 S. Albany Ave., Chicago, IL 60623

The third annual Juneteenth Village Fest celebrates the end of slavery in the United States and honors the rich cultural heritage of Chicago. This free, family-oriented festival is hosted by It Takes A Village Family of Schools and this year’s headliners are India Arie, Dead Prez and Domani. Experience a day filled with live performances, rides, games and delicious food.

DuSable Museum of Black History and Education Center’s Juneteenth Annual Celebrations

Wednesday, June 19; 10:00 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.; Free entry. DuSable Museum; 740 E. 56^th Place, Chicago, IL 60637

Activities include “DuFarm” with a petting zoo, horseback riding, a farmers market and a planting station, as well as performances from Blues and R&B artists such as Glenn Jones, DJ Ambassador Kevin Nevels, A Patch of Blues and many more.

On-site Juneteenth Commemoration:  A Legacy of Hope and Allyship

Wednesday, June 19; 6:30 p.m.; Free entry but reservations required (sign-up here). Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center; 9603 Woods Dr., Skokie, IL 60077

Hear a profound discussion on the enduring impact and legacy of friendship and coalition between Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel. Featuring Jonathan Eig, 2024 Pulitzer Prize-winning author of King: A Life, and Professor Susannah Heschel, renowned Jewish and biblical scholar and daughter of Rabbi Heschel, this captivating conversation moderated by Pastor Chris Harris, Sr., Senior Pastor of Bright Star C.O.G.I.C.  and St. James C.O.G.I.C., will examine the complexities of racial and religious identity, the ongoing struggles to build solidarity across communities and the imperative of collective action in the creation of a more inclusive and equitable world. Through their insights, participants will reflect on the past, consider the present and envision a future guided by the principles of empathy, justice and understanding. Book signing to follow.