– Event features special guest Opal Lee, the “Grandmother of Juneteenth” –
BROWARD COUNTY, FL – Throughout June, Broward County Library will celebrate Juneteenth with a host of programs at participating branches that include special guests, performances, dance parties, storytelling, trivia, quilting, crafting, poster making and the legendary Blues & Sweet Potato Pie Festival, now in its 21st year.
Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration honoring the official end of slavery in the United States. Retired educator, counselor and activist Opal Lee was instrumental in Juneteenth becoming an official holiday and was in attendance at the Presidential signing. She will present live online at “Juneteenth: A Celebration of Freedom,” 1 to 2:30 p.m., on Saturday, June 11th.
Other noteworthy programs include the African American Research Library and Cultural Center’s (AARLCC) BAM! It’s Juneteenth – Be Alive through Music, scheduled for 7 to 9:30 p.m., on June 10th, which features the opening of AARLCC’s Juneteenth, Pride and Black Music exhibit, which provides an in-depth look into the history of Black music and the influence of radio.
AARLCC presents Archives After Dark: The Eric Rawlins Experience, hosted by musician and music educator DJ Nune, aka Lamar Harris, on June 11th from 7 to 9:30 p.m. This curated experience features the sounds from the Eric Rawlins Record Collection of nearly 6,000 albums in jazz, rhythm & blues, hip hop, Latino and gospel music genres, now part of AARLCC’s Special Collections. More live performances follow, with Storytelling with Windell Campbell, 2-3PM on June 16th at Carver Ranches Branch and Kris Nicholson Piano Performance at Deerfield Percy White Branch on June 17th from 2 to 4 p.m.
Tradition continues with the Northwest Branch Library’s 21st Annual Blues & 
Sweet Potato Pie Juneteenth Festival, taking place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., on Saturday, June 18th at Apollo Park, which is adjacent to the library. This beloved signature event dishes up BBQ, Civil War historical re-enactors, blues/jazz music, historical display, professional storytelling, children’s games, vintage exhibits, health screenings and the kick off of the library’s Summer Learning Program.
All programs are free and open to the public. Preregistration is requested. For a full list of the library’s Juneteenth events, please visit the Online Library Events Calendar and enter “Juneteenth” in the search box (date range is June 1-30).
Program sponsorship has been generously provided by the Broward Public Library Foundation. For more information about these programs, please contact Michael Bryant, Adult Services Coordinator, at Mdbryant@broward.org or (954) 357-7435.
