UA Little Rock to Host Third Annual Juneteenth Celebration
The University of Arkansas at Little Rock will host its third annual Juneteenth celebration on Wednesday, June 19, with an all-day commemoration featuring Dr. Chris Jones as the keynote speaker.
“This year’s event honors the legacy of Juneteenth and celebrates freedom and heritage within Black culture,” said Dr. Melvin Beavers, the chancellor’s fellow for diversity, inclusion, and equity. “Our goal is to foster a deeper appreciation of Black culture and community while reinforcing our commitment to creating a more equitable and inclusive environment.”
The Juneteenth celebration will kick off with a video montage of faculty, staff, and alumni sharing their thoughts on the holiday that will be shared via email and social media at 9 a.m.
A free lunch will be provided by Kitchen Express in the Donaghey Student Center Ledbetter Hall from noon-2 p.m. Resource sharing tables will be available in the Donaghey Student Center, which will include Juneteenth cookbooks, t-shirts, and the City of Little Rock Chamber of Commerce. Free t-shirts will be given while supplies last.
The main program will begin at 2 p.m. with a welcome by Chancellor Christina Drale followed by a song performance by S. Juain Young. Joyce Elliott, a former state senator who serves as executive director of Get Loud Arkansas, will introduce the keynote speaker, Dr. Chris Jones, who was the first African American to be nominated for governor by a major political party in Arkansas. Jones will give his keynote speech, “Black Culture and the Legacy of Juneteenth,” at 2:30 p.m.
Jones, who is an ordained minister, was the Democratic nominee in the state’s 2022 governor’s race. He holds five degrees, math and physics bachelor’s degrees from Morehouse College, an M.S. in nuclear engineering and an M.S. in technology and policy from MIT, and a Ph.D. in urban studies and planning from MIT.
Prior to his run for governor, Jones served as the executive director of the Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub where he helped dozens of entrepreneurs launch and grow businesses and created programs that trained thousands of Arkansans on various STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) topics, including the Skills to Launch Program, which continues to provide young adults with certification and training in trades such as roofing, welding, HVAC, and carpentry.
All of UA Little Rock’s Juneteenth events are free and open to the public, but registration is required. Please visit this webpage to register for the Juneteenth events.
“We hope this celebration allows us to come together as a community to reflect, learn, and honor the significance of Juneteenth,” Beavers said. “Your participation is crucial in making this event meaningful and impactful. Let’s celebrate freedom, heritage, and the ongoing pursuit of equality together.”
Anyone who registers will be entered into the Juneteenth Book Giveaway for a chance to win one of these books: “Black Joy: Stories of Resistance, Resilience, and Restoration” by Tracey Michael Lewis-Giggetts; “Why Does Everything Have to be About Race” by Keith Boykin; “Lies About Black People: How to Combat Racist Stereotypes and Why It Matters” by Omekongo Dibinga; and “Token Black Girl: A Memoir” by Danielle Prescod.
More information can be found about Juneteenth by visiting this website.
