91´óÉñ

91´óÉñ will commemorate Juneteenth with a community celebration that combines the rich history of Black Americans with an assortment of festivities.

 Juneteenth Jubilee will be held on Thursday, June 18, 2026, from 11 a.m– 1 p.m. on the Kent Campus, Student Green/Risman Plaza. Enjoy live performances, music, great food, vendors and more. This event is free and open to the public. . 

ABOUT

On June 19, Americans across the country celebrate Juneteenth, the commemoration of the day in 1865 when enslaved Black Americans in Galveston, Texas, got the news that the Civil War had ended, and they were now free. Slavery in states engaged in rebellion against the Union had ended a full two years before, when President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation became official on Jan. 1, 1863. And it wasn’t long before Black Americans began to celebrate Juneteenth, the name derived from combining June and 19th.

In 1980, Texas began recognizing Juneteenth as an official state holiday, and in 2020, a total of 47 states and the District of Columbia recognizes the date as well. In 2021, the U.S. Senate and House passed measures to recognize Juneteenth National Independence Day as a federal holiday. President Joe Biden signed the legislation on June 17, 2021.

91´óÉñ’s Student Multicultural Center hosted the 2021 Juneteenth Jubilee and 91´óÉñ students were integral in planning the event.

For more information about the history of Juneteenth, please visit

PERFORMANCES

Barefeet Dance Tribe will provide an interactive dance workshop for attendees. Barefeet Dance Tribe is a uniquely combined traditional and modern African dance movement group. 91´óÉñ student Rumbidzai Mupinga established the group in 2010 and solely focuses on trying to educate others about different cultures and dance forms other than their own and to have fun while doing it. Barefeet targeted elementary students in the Kent area and has vastly attracted crowds of different ages. It now consists of elementary-aged children to college students from around the Kent, Ohio, area, and in doing so Barefeet also promotes education and the social aspect of the continent of Africa.

Berhane and Sowande Okantah are renowned percussionists known for their engaging and educational drumming that celebrates African cultural heritage and rhythms. Professionally trained in African music and arts, Berhane and Sowande Okantah have nearly two decades of expertise in music performance and instruction. They showcase their talents by captivating audiences and engaging listeners to experience music live in its ancient form. Their work emphasizes the importance of community, history, and the power of music to bring people together.

VENDORS

Contact Us

email: people@kent.edu