10 Days of Jubilee: Check out these Juneteenth celebrations in Corpus Christi
A nonprofit focused on promoting education and work opportunities for the Black community in Corpus Christi will host a variety of Juneteenth festivities.
Since 1999, the Texas Association of Black Personnel in Higher Education has implemented programs to help promote higher education, student enrollment and develop a multicultural workforce for the city's Black community.
The nonprofit will hold its sixth annual Juneteenth Festival in the Park, along with the 10 Days of Jubilee Festival.
Festivities start Friday, June 9.
Local chapter president Simone Sanders said the purpose of the events is to educate the community on what Juneteenth is and to remember to celebrate achievements all the time.
"As an educational association, it's important that this is a learning experience," Sanders said. "There are still people today who don't know what Juneteenth is and why it is celebrated. We're here to teach them."
The day is a combination of "June" and "19th," to commemorate the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. It is celebrated on the anniversary of June 19, 1865 — the day proclaiming freedom for slaves in Texas.
Juneteenth was first recognized as a federal holiday in 2021, when President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law.
Below is what the Coastal Bend can expect from the festivities:
Friday, June 9: The Juneteenth Kickoff, open to the public, will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at Nueces Brewing Co., 401 S. Water St.
Sunday, June 11: A Sunday service, in memory of Rev. Adam Carrington, will be held at Brooks AME Worship Center, 2101 N. Port Ave.
Monday, June 12: A free diabetes health screening will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Oveal Williams Senior Center parking lot, 1414 Martin Luther King Drive.
Tuesday, June 13: A second free diabetes health screening will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. at Del Mar College's Heritage Campus,101 Baldwin Blvd. From 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the campus, mental health professional Mirakal McGill will host "Recognition and Management of Anxiety and Depression in the African American Community" in the Retama Room in the Harvin Center.
Wednesday, June 14: A diabetes education course will be held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Corpus Christi Public Health Department, 1702 Horne Road. The course will provide free lunch, a free health screening and a free glucose meter and strips.
Thursday, June 15: A third free diabetes health screening will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Walmart Supercenter parking lot, 1821 S. Padre Island Drive.
Friday, June 16: The 10th annual Black & White Dance and Comedy Show, featuring comedian GrossMann, will be held at the Crystal Reception Hall, 2033 Airline Road. Tickets are $45 each or $320 for a table of eight. To purchase tickets, call 361-510-0123, 361-549-5196 or 361-658-7226.
Saturday, June 17: The Corpus Christi Juneteenth Festival will be held from 4 to 10 p.m. at Water's Edge Park in downtown Corpus Christi. The festival will feature a 5K run/walk, food trucks, a kids zone and musical performances, including the Bayou City Brass Band, Top Shelf SA, Kingdom of Christ Community Singers and rapper Juvenile.
Sunday, June 18: Pilgrim's Rest Baptist Church will hold its Juneteenth Day of Service at 10:30 a.m. at 2801 Sabinas St. At 5 p.m., music, food and giveaways at the Family Fun Day in the Park will be held at Dr. H.J. Williams Park, 2526 Nueces St.
For more information on TABPHE, visit tabphecc.org.
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John Oliva covers entertainment and community news in South Texas. Contact him at john.oliva@caller.com or Twitter @johnpoliva.
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This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Check out these Juneteenth celebrations in Corpus Christi
