The City of Mesa, in collaboration with Mesa Community College (MCC) and the Mesa-East Valley Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Committee (MLK), is proud to announce the inaugural Juneteenth Celebration. This free community event, commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States, will take place on June 19 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Southern and Dobson campus of MCC.
The evening will feature a brief program at 7:15 p.m., including a proclamation from the City of Mesa commemorating Juneteenth. Mayor John Giles highlighted the significance of this event, stating, “Mesa’s diversity is one of the strengths of our community, and I’m proud of the City’s work to advance issues of equity and ensure all people are treated fairly. Juneteenth is a monumental event in the history of America that reminds us not to lose focus on those values. I’m very happy the City is partnering with the MLK Committee and MCC for the new community event, and I’m pleased to proclaim June 19 as Juneteenth Celebration Day in Mesa.”
Juneteenth, marking the anniversary of Texas being the last state to announce President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation in 1865, is a powerful symbol of freedom and progress. Keisha McKinnor, Chair of the Mesa-East Valley Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Committee, emphasized the importance of the proclamation, saying, “This Juneteenth proclamation carries the spirit of hope and an ongoing commitment to ensuring we all have the access and freedom to live, learn, earn, persevere and prosper in this society. It celebrates the amazing resiliency of Black Americans on our continual journey in the pursuit of liberty and equality.”
The theme for this year’s event, “Rooted in Resilience,” celebrates the strength, determination, and perseverance of Black communities throughout history, acknowledging both the challenges they have overcome and the progress they continue to make. By embracing resilience, the event honors the legacy of those who fought for freedom and justice while recognizing the ongoing struggles for equality and equity.
Arizona began observing Juneteenth as a holiday in 2016, and it became a federal holiday in 2021 when President Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day into law.
The Juneteenth celebration at MCC will feature a variety of activities and attractions, including:
- Special edition planetarium show “Journey to Freedom: Navigating by the Stars”
- Kids Zone with games
- Health screenings
- MCC’s acclaimed DJ music performance
- Arts and Culture vendors
- Food trucks and more!
To facilitate public participation, Lyft is offering a $10 discount on rides to the event for the first 100 users. Use the code MESAJUNETEENTH when booking the ride. This offer is valid only on June 19 for trips to and from Mesa Community College.
For more information about the Juneteenth celebration, visit mesaevmlk.org/juneteenth.
