Juneteenth Celebration In Birmingham: What To Know

BIRMINGHAM, AL — Birmingham's premier Juneteenth celebration will go on as planned Saturday, as the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute will begin its day-long celebration at 10 a.m.

The day-long festival of heritage and culture will celebrate the emancipation of enslaved people in America.

The community is invited to visit the BCRI galleries free of charge from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. with timed reservations to encourage physical distancing that can be reserved on the BCRI website.

Attendees of the jubilee can also take part in an immersive digital experience at the institute's AfroTech Village powered by Ed Farm, featuring StayDRMN.

Other events include a farmer’s market, free food trucks, Children’s Crusade Village, Black Wealth Matters Village and a visit from the Freedom Ride for Voting Rights Tour in its signature “Blackest Bus in America.”

The Juneteenth main stage, located at the corner of 16th Street North and 6th Avenue, will be hosted by V94.9’s Lady Woo and feature Grammy nominated artist Anthony David, Ursula Smith Dance Company and African Dance Troop, G.I. Magus, Super Dave and The Gogo Band, African drumming & dance, special guest speakers and a sundown screening of "The 24th," presented by Sidewalk Film Center + Cinema.

BCRI members can kick off their Juneteenth with a private brunch experience and genealogy workshop at BCRI, with food provided by Eat to Live, entertainment from DJ Rod Dedrick and a unique conversation with the BCRI founding president, Odessa Woolfolk. The Birmingham African American Genealogy Group and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints will facilitate a special workshop with members where they will discuss genealogy basics and best practices. Reservations are required and can be made online.

The Jefferson County Department of Health will join in the Black Health Village, providing resources and information about opioid overdose, life-saving naloxone treatment, HIV and STD prevention.

Also included in the event will be the Sickle Cell Foundation, Life South, Aletheia House, Black Yogis, No More Martyrs and Alabama Regional Medical Services on site providing COVID-19 vaccinations, mental health resources and more.