City’s Second Annual Juneteenth Celebration Set for June 18

May 2, 2022 — The City of Wilsonville’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee is hosting the City’s second annual Juneteenth Celebration on Saturday, June 18. The free event takes place at Town Center Park (29600 SW Park Pl.) from 10 am to noon.

Wilsonville’s Juneteenth Celebration is an event designed to bring people of all races, nationalities and religions together to celebrate our shared humanity and acknowledge history that continues to influence society today. A generous Community Opportunity Grant in the amount of $7,500 has been allocated by the City’s Parks & Recreation Board. This grant, from the City’s general fund, is allowing the am-noonDEI Committee to plan a more robust celebration than last year’s inaugural Juneteenth Celebration.

This year's celebration features live Afrobeat and Juju music from Jujuba, limited quantities of food from Dar Essalam, educational materials and screenings from local health providers. A keynote address is to be delivered by Dr. Mandrill Taylor, a board certified psychiatrist with specialty training in both addiction and public health.

Event Program

Speakers: 10 am

• Imran Haider & Jay Edwards (Emcees, DEI Committee)
•  Mayor Julie Fitzgerald
•  Aaron Woods
•  Dr. Mandrill Taylor, MD, MPH (Keynote)

Music: 10:45-noon

•  Jujuba  (Afrobeat, Juju band)

About Juneteenth

Juneteenth is believed to be the nation’s oldest nationally-celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery. In 1866, Texans celebrated the first anniversary of the day word arrived in Galveston on June 19, 1865 – more than two years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation – that slavery had been abolished.  The anniversary is marked by community celebrations throughout the United States.