Detroit Juneteenth Jubilee brings black-history education, celebration

The Charles H. Wright Museum’s circular center echoed Saturday with a celebration of overcoming and resilience — and a remembrance of a history few are taught.

The Juneteenth Jubilee welcomed hundreds at the museum to commemorate June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers arriving in Galveston informed black Texans of their emancipation from slavery. That event was more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation.

Although the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History has celebrated the tradition for years, this was the first year the Juneteenth Jubilee Planning Committee has partnered with the museum, bringing with it black-owned businesses, crafting stations, a Morehouse College reunion and a program of educational speakers.

The Wright, and Detroit at large, represent a rich black history, making it essential to acknowledge Juneteenth here, said Juneteenth Jubilee chairperson Sharea Ayers.  

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“...The city is still 80 to 82% African American, and before the Smithsonian (National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C.) opened, we were known for having the largest African American exhibit here in our city,” Ayers said. “So the whole thing for me is that, given the rich history that Detroit has, especially in the black experience, it was important to bring it here so we could celebrate.”

While some Jubilee attendees grew up with a deep knowledge of traditions such as Juneteenth, others didn’t know Juneteenth existed until much later in their lives.

The popularity of the holiday’s celebration has come and gone over the years, leaving generational disparities in Juneteenth knowledge. The Jubilee on Saturday began with an explanation of the holiday, bringing all attendees to the same knowledge base. 

Khalil Peaks, owner of Naim’s Unique Designs, grew up in the 1960s and said he was never taught black history in schools or from family. He learned about Juneteenth from college professors and organizations who helped immerse him in his own history.

“Most of the people here in the United States have some knowledge of their history, but for some reason or another, we just are beginning to find out things about our history — it was kept away from us for a long time,” said Peaks, who is black.

Peaks said he hopes as black history is recognized at events such as the Jubilee, younger black generations can carry what was once a hidden past into their own futures.

“Now all of a sudden you have people who realize the importance of trying to teach us our history, so you know where you came from and can move forward, you would be able to advance, you would be able to tell your kids ‘...we came from this point, so let’s take it a step further,’” Peaks said.

Most states didn’t celebrate Juneteenth for many years after it started — the tradition only migrated with black Texans who moved on to other states around the time of World War II. During early Juneteenth celebrations, attendees were banned from assembling at public parks, and gathered along rivers and lakes and in churches until they could purchase their own property.

The tradition is rooted in a painful history, one in which original Juneteenth celebrants were kept in slavery for two years after the rest of the country. But Ayers said she didn’t want the Jubilee to focus on that part of Juneteenth.

“I want everybody to understand that we don’t want to dwell so much on the enslavement piece as much as we want to acknowledge the resiliency of the people,” Ayers said. “So as long as (attendees) go away having a good time, coming out, seeing each other, this is beautiful to me.”

Ayers grew up understanding the significance of Juneteenth, but said she’s only recently grasped its importance as a celebration and a joyful event.

Even under gloomy afternoon skies, the Jubilee was joyful, a moment for Detroiters old and young to support one another and learn together about a powerful history.

That sense of celebration was important for Derrecka Ellis, owner of IMAE Designs, who said Juneteenth reminds her of the resilience of her ancestors.

“I was so excited when I saw that the event was at the Wright and that there was an event, because I feel like we don’t celebrate the culture enough," Ellis said. "I believe that this event is a good way, especially for youth, to learn more about the African American history and culture, and just where we’ve been and what we’ve been through."

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