New Mexico State University invites all Aggies and community members to come together to celebrate Black history and culture as part of upcoming Juneteenth festivities.
Juneteenth, a federal holiday observed June 19, commemorates the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States. This year, NMSU's Office of Land-Grant Excellence, Access and Partnership, Black Programs, and Fraternity and Sorority Life will host several events to commemorate the holiday on the Las Cruces campus.
“At Black Programs, we believe events like Juneteenth and Black Business Month are more than celebrations – they are opportunities to learn, connect and grow together,†said Cecil Rose, director of Black Programs. “Through conversations, shared experiences and community engagement, we help create spaces where the NMSU community can better understand history, support one another and learn from different perspectives.â€
The festivities will kick off with an event dedicated to soul food, its history and cultural significance. “Roots, Recipes and Remembrance†will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 17 in Corbett Center Student Union's Doña Ana Room. It will include a presentation and cooking demonstration, where attendees will share a meal and learn how food traditions have preserved stories, family connections and resilience across generations.
The “Black Business Highlight†will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 19 in the Black Programs office in Corbett Center Student Union, second floor. Several Black entrepreneurs will be on hand to discuss their businesses and their work supporting economic growth and community investment in the borderland region. Tephanie Hopper, owner of Colorful Chapters in El Paso, will be among the business owners in attendance. Colorful Chapters is a mobile pop-up bookstore dedicated to amplifying diverse voices and increasing access to Black and Latino authors.
Data show Black Americans are an enormous economic force in the United States, with considerable spending power. A special lunch-and-learn talk, “Power of the Black Dollar,†presented by Rob Brown, will explore Black economic influence from noon to 1:15 p.m. June 19 at Zuhl Library, third floor. Attendees will learn practical ways to support local businesses and strengthen communities through intentional spending and investment.
“The Black dollar is more than spending power. It represents opportunity, ownership, resilience and the ability to create lasting change,†Brown said. “Every dollar spent, saved, invested or circulated is a decision about the future we want to build – not only for ourselves, but for generations to come.â€
In partnership with Black Programs, the Doña Ana County NAACP will host its “Gospel Explosion†at 7 p.m. June 19 at the Heart for the World Church, 1605 S. Valley Drive, in Las Cruces. The concert will feature the NMSU Gospel Choir, local gospel singers and church choirs, and gospel recording artist Rosalind Jones. It is free and open to the public.
The Doña Ana County NAACP will then host its annual Juneteenth banquet at 6 p.m. June 20 at the Las Cruces Convention Center. The event will feature live music, dinner and an address by Gene Grant, executive director of the New Mexico Office of African American Affairs. Tickets may be purchased by visitinghttps://naacpdac.org/mlk-event/.
“The Doña Ana County NAACP proudly joins communities across the nation in commemorating Juneteenth, a day that honors the end of slavery in the United States and celebrates the resilience, achievements and contributions of Black Americans,†Doña Ana County NAACP President Bobbie Green said. “This year's theme, ‘We the People,' serves as a reminder that freedom is not only a historical achievement but also an ongoing commitment.â€
All events at NMSU are free and open to the public. For more information about NMSU's Juneteenth events, contact Black Programs at blackpro@nmsu.edu or 575-646-4208.
-30-
Cutline: New Mexico State University's Black Programs will host several events on the Las Cruces campus to celebrate Juneteenth. (Courtesy)
