JONESBORO, Ark. — KLEK 102.5 FM has announced the return of Juneteenth in Jonesboro, a weeklong community celebration honoring freedom, culture, education and unity.
The 9th Annual Juneteenth in Jonesboro celebration will take place Friday, June 12, through Friday, June 19, with events across Jonesboro focused on health, history, music, civic engagement, faith and family fun.
This year’s theme is “Rooted in History, Rising Together.”
Since launching the event in 2017, KLEK has grown Juneteenth in Jonesboro into one of Northeast Arkansas’ most anticipated annual celebrations.
“Every year we want Juneteenth in Jonesboro to educate, inspire, and bring people together,” said KLEK General Manager LaGanzie Kale. “This celebration is about honoring the past while building stronger connections for the future. We are grateful to the community for continuing to support and grow this event year after year.”
Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, the day enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, were informed of their freedom, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. Today, Juneteenth serves as both a celebration of freedom and a reminder of the continuing journey toward equality and unity.
All events are free to attend unless otherwise noted.
The celebration begins Friday, June 12, with the Juneteenth Kickoff Celebration from 6 to 8 p.m. at Legends BBQ Smokehouse, 1025 W. Johnson Ave.
Events continue Saturday, June 13, with a community health screening beginning at 8:30 a.m. at St. Bernards Auditorium, 505 E. Washington Ave. The Juneteenth Parade will also begin there, with lineup at 9 a.m. and the parade starting at 9:30 a.m. A community fair will follow from 4 to 7 p.m. at Parker Park Community Center, 1506 N. Church St.
A community worship service is scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday, June 14, at Fullness of Joy Ministries, 2120 Thorn St.
On Monday, June 15, an American Red Cross blood drive will be held from noon to 5 p.m. at Parker Park Community Center. “The Cost of Freedom” with Dr. Cherisse Jones-Branch will stream live on KLEK social media at 7 p.m.
A virtual political forum hosted by the Kappa Nu Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 16, and streamed live on KLEK social media.
The KASU Public Radio Art Meripol Black History Exhibit will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 17, at the Arkansas State University Humanities Building.
On Thursday, June 18, Juneteenth Jam will feature Mark Echols, Ray Kelly and a live band from 7 to 9 p.m. at Legends BBQ Smokehouse. Admission is $10, and the event is for ages 21 and older.
The celebration will conclude Friday, June 19, with The Baritone Jazz Junction Jazz Concert at 6 p.m. at the Craighead County Jonesboro Public Library, 315 W. Oak Ave. A fireworks celebration will follow at University Lions Park, 502 1/2 N. Bridge St. Gates open at 8:30 p.m., with fireworks beginning at 9:15 p.m.
The evening will also include a mayoral proclamation by Jonesboro Mayor Harold Copenhaver recognizing Juneteenth National Independence Day in Jonesboro.
KLEK began organizing Juneteenth in Jonesboro in 2017 to create a community celebration centered on history, culture, education and unity. The event has since grown into a citywide tradition commemorating freedom and celebrating the contributions of African Americans to American history and culture.
KLEK LP 102.5 FM was founded in 2015 and is Jonesboro’s first and only Black-owned community radio station. The station is operated by The Voice of Arkansas Minority Advocacy Council, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
More information is available at klekfm.org or through KLEK on social media at @klekfm.
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