2025 Juneteenth Parade
As the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary this year, it's important to remember that July 4th was just the start.
In the years following the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the “question of the day†was whether or not all people were equal, as stated in the document, said Dr. Kimeka Campbell, co-founder of Young Professionals of Color-Greater Harrisburg.
“Folks were highlighting the contradictions in real time,†Campbell said of the declaration and the reality of slavery.
It wasn't until four years after the 1776 declaration that the “Gradual Abolition Act†was passed in Pennsylvania, beginning to free enslaved people. It would be more than 80 years until the last enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, would learn of abolition on June 19, 1865, and be freed.
That day, which continued what Independence Day started, would become known as Juneteenth. And while Independence Day would be formally celebrated by the nation every year since its inception, Juneteenth only became a federal holiday in 2021.
“Juneteenth, and emancipation, is part and parcel to independence, but we don't treat it that way,†Campbell said.
Campbell and a team of local organizers have sought to change the narrative for the past several years in Harrisburg, hosting a citywide Juneteenth celebration that has drawn attendees from across the region.
As the country turns a special attention to July 4th on America's big birthday year, Campbell wants to remind people to not wait until then to fire up the grill for celebratory cookouts.
“They should be celebrated and taught together,†Campbell said, of the two holidays. “It's a history of redemption for a country that once enslaved people, versus a source of shame, which is how I think a lot of people see slavery, and rightfully so, it is a shameful institution. It is an institution that is difficult to reconcile with how we came into power in this country. It's just difficult to deal with. But there's so much value in dealing with our history in a way that really helps us move forward.â€
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For This Moment
The theme of this year's weeklong Juneteenth programming is “Built for This Moment: Radically Reimagining our Next Chapter.â€
“It was a theme that we thought fit the moment, fit the time, fit where we are as a country, as a world. There's a lot of uncertainty, especially as there are cuts and slashes to DEI,†Campbell said. “We wanted to show that we will be resilient no matter what.â€
The reality of funding Juneteenth, a huge event that attracts thousands of people, is that people and corporations may be more, or less, willing to open their wallets depending on the political climate.
After 2020, when George Floyd was killed by police, and around 2021, when Juneteenth was recognized by then-President Joe Biden, people were happy to support the festival. Now, as Campbell noted, with attacks on diversity and greater economic instability, there are more excuses for reining in donations.
It's a pattern that Campbell said has been well documented—the ebbs and flows of support for Black culture and justice in the mainstream.
But still, the show goes on and will continue to grow year over year, Campbell confidently believes.
Staple Juneteenth HBG events include the Juneteenth Jubilee, in Riverfront Park this year, the Juneteenth Summit at Harrisburg University, and the concert to close out the week, at Capital City Music Hall.
Ashley Smith is the chair of Juneteenth Jubilee, an event that features performances, food trucks, local vendors and activities for kids.
“We are really family focused,†Smith said. “People really enjoy that it's family focused.â€
The summit, chaired by Elyse Irvis, founder of La Cultura and Culture & Commerce, brings professionals, entrepreneurs and community members together for a daylong conference with sessions on economics, tech, business development and equity.
“We are returning economic empowerment to Black and Brown individuals,†Irvis said. “It's important work.â€
New to the summit will be an experience for local youth, with sessions tailored to their age levels.
Another Juneteenth event, Taste of Black Harrisburg at Culture & Commerce downtown, will highlight local restaurant owners and artists, allowing attendees to experience the community's talent.
In a time where the nation, and even the city's, divisions can take center stage, Juneteenth organizers are proud of the unity that Juneteenth brings.
“I really enjoy the community that's been created over the past years,†Smith said.
Campbell hopes that feeling continues to spread and that Juneteenth will continue to be a space of celebration, joy, learning and growth.
“I want people to continue to experience a sense of community,†Campbell said. “Folks get really nervous in times like this—I know I do. Will your community support you when times are rough like this? And my belief is that they will.â€
For more information about Juneteenth HBG and Young Professionals of Color-Greater Harrisburg, visit www.ypoc-hbg.org.
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