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National Underground Railroad Freedom Center Hosting Juneteenth Events

In honor of the holiday, the Freedom Center will have a variety of programming and special events for the community, including an evening of live music and poetry performances, a conversation on Black empowerment and film screenings.

Jun 2, 2023 at 3:12 pm

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Photo: Facebook.com/FreedomCenter

National Underground Railroad Freedom Center

The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center is hosting a multi-day lineup of events to celebrate Juneteenth later this month.

Juneteenth, held each year on June 19, is a celebration in African American communities of the end of slavery in the United States, as well as of Black culture, Black resilience and true independence. In honor of the holiday, the Freedom Center will have a variety of programming and special events for the community, including an evening of live music and poetry performances, a conversation on Black empowerment and film screenings.

“Juneteenth is such an impactful day, not only historically, but year after year as we continue to celebrate and pursue the promise of freedom this nation was founded on,” Woodrow Keown Jr., president and COO of the Freedom Center, said in a press release. “We invite the community to join us for this weekend of celebration, and to rediscover why Juneteenth is a living history of a promise fulfilled and yet unfinished.”

Freedom Center’s Juneteenth events include:

Black Empowerment Works: Fueling Black Futures & Honoring Black History
1:30-3 p.m. Saturday, June 10

A panel of local experts will discuss United Way of Greater Cincinnati’s Black Empowerment program, which promotes Black-led efforts to cultivate social mobility, generational wealth and self-determination. The discussion will also include the history and future of Black excellence. The panel is free, but registration is required.

Juneteenth: The Galveston Story Screenings
2 p.m. Friday-Monday, June 16-19

The Gavelston Story is a documentary exploring the roots of Juneteenth and the story of Galveston, Texas, becoming the birthplace of true freedom in the country. Screenings will be held in the Harriet Tubman Theater and are included in the cost of admission.

SPEAKFREELY: A Juneteenth Evening at the Museum
6:30-10 p.m. Saturday, June 17

A speakeasy-themed party featuring original and classic jazz, R&B and blues hits from Destiny L and her band, Chasing Dreams, and music from DJ Guy Wes and a tribute to 50 years of hip-hop. Local artists will be sharing spoken-word poetry and stories on reflections of freedom and the Black experience. Tickets ($10 for members; $20 for non-members) include access to the museum’s exhibits, light bites and a cash bar with complimentary whiskey tastings by Uncle Nearest, whiskey inspired by Nathan Nearest Green, a formerly enslaved man who taught the craft of distilling to a young Jack Daniel.

Fifth Third Community Day
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday, June 19

Guests can enjoy free admission to the Freedom Center on Juneteenth, where they can take part in a community art project. There will also be a DJ playing Afrobeats and social and emotional learning workshops for kids. Registration is recommended.

Food, Tradition and Wellness with Dr. Jessica B. Harris
6-9 p.m. Thursday, June 22

In this program, New York Times bestselling author Dr. Jessica B. Harris explores the foodways of the African Diaspora, from the arrival of enslaved Africans in the early 1600s to now as part of the Freedom Center’s Freedom Food Initiative. The event is free, but registration is required.

Slideshow

30 Essential Black-Owned Restaurants in Greater Cincinnati You Need to Try

Ollie’s Trolley1607 Central Ave., West EndLocated in a bright yellow and red trolley car, Ollie’s Trolley is a soul food staple in Cincinnati. This little trolley serves a variety of smoked meats, including ribs, turkey tips and pulled pork, plus metts and burgers. They also offer plenty of sides, like collard greens, buttered corn and potato salad. For dessert, get a slice of their lemon pound cake or chess pie, or take a whole pie or cake home to share.

Soul Secrets1434 Vine St., Over-the-RhineThis OTR spot doesn’t just offer soul food – their recipes tell the story of owner Candice Holloway’s family. "Our recipes – that's what we bring to the table. They're historic, they're traditional, they are original, they're from scratch, they are made with love,” Holloway told CityBeat. A look at the menu shows entrees that, in a lot of the South, would just be called good ol’ home cooking, like fried chicken, shrimp and grits, fried whiting and catfish. On the side, there’s macaroni and cheese, collard greens, sweet potatoes and cornbread — the kinds of dishes prepared for the family and that you’d hope for when someone offers to “fix you a plate.”

Nolia1405 Clay St., Over-the-RhineNolia opened in April 2022, adding some Southern flair to Cincinnati’s foodie landscape. Their unique dishes are inspired by Chef Jeff Harris’ upbringing in New Orleans, but at the same time, they stay authentic to Harris rather than to his hometown’s traditional cuisine. The dining environment is upscale, yet approachable, offering a menu stacked with dishes like delectable roasted chicken, cider-braised greens and andouille-crusted redfish. All of the side dishes are vegan, and while you should not expect them to play ragtime or serve hurricane cocktails in novelty cups, their drink menu will truly laissez les bon temps rouler, non?

Just Q’in975 E McMillan St., Walnut Hills; 5903 Hamilton Ave., College HillOwned by Matt Cuff, this Walnut Hills barbecue joint is "committed to the mission of Faith, Love and BBQ. On the menu, you’ll find smoked brisket, ribs, chicken and more. And don’t skip on the classic barbecue sides. Need more convincing? U.S. President Joe Biden gobbled up Just Q'in's brisket, mac & cheese, jalapeño cornbread and peach cobbler during a recent visit to Cincinnati. Grab it all by the plate or by the pound for catering.

BlaCk Coffee Lounge824 Elm St., DowntownThis coffee shop is from the owners of BlaCk OWned. Their popular house “Wakanda” blend is a mix of Ethiopian, Rwandan and Brazilian beans, and you can even buy a bag of it to brew at home (U.S. vice president Kamala Harris enjoyed the Wakanda blend during a 2021 visit). They also offer bag and brewed teas, cold-pressed juices and other coffee drinks like espresso, cappuccinos, lattes and macchiatos, which can all be made with non-dairy milk alternatives. If you're hungry, their small menu features sandwiches and pastries.

BOL2165 Central Ave., Unit A, West EndAs Cincinnati’s first açaí bowl bar, BOL has a mission to bring people together through a shared love of fresh, healthy and tasty food. They have both a mobile food truck you’ll find around the city, as well as a stationary truck on Central Avenue in the West End. You can create your own bowl with fruits, granola and a variety of toppings, from peanut and almond butters to bee pollen and goji berries. BOL also has several pre-created bowls on their menu that you can modify, like the Jujitsu BOL (which comes with strawberries, banana and honey) or the Queen City BOL (strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, pineapple, raspberries, chia seed and honey).

Boomtown Biscuits & Whiskey9039 US-42, Suite H, UnionThis restaurant is inspired by the trappings of the American frontier and California's 19th-century gold rush and is helmed by chef Christian Gill, who has appeared on several cooking competition shows. At Boomtown, the true delight comes plated. The signature biscuit isn't a run-of-the-mill, thousand-layer, flaked baked good: it's a buttery, soft disk with a close crumb and a browned, lightly bubbled top that no breakfast chain can compete with. Order the Gold Shoes to get this delightful biscuit topped with delicious sawmill, peppercorn, mushroom or goetta gravy.

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About The Author

Katherine Barrier

Katherine Barrier is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati’s journalism program and has nearly 10 years of experience reporting local and national news as a digital journalist. At CityBeat, she oversees the digital and social media strategies, edits web and print content and writes for the dining and arts...