Wayne State to host Juneteenth celebration honoring Black history

DETROIT - Wayne State University will host "Centering Stories of Resilience: A Centennial Celebration of Black History" on Wednesday, June 17. The event will feature the premiere of a genealogy project documentary, a panel discussion on Black family history and identity, a living history performance of Juneteenth, and the presentation of the Dr. Marquita Chamblee Community Impact Award to Darcell Brown Jr., founder and operations manager of the Umoja Debate League.

Hosted by Wayne State's Office of Inclusive Excellence, the free public event will explore the importance of preserving Black stories, histories and family legacies.

The event will include a screening of a documentary tracing connections between Detroit families and broader African American history, followed by a discussion with Dr. Kefentse Chike, Dr. Kafi Kumasi and Detroit historian Jamon Jordan.

A living history performance by Billicia Hines, associate dean of strategic initiatives in the College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts, and Dr. RAS Mikey Courtney, assistant professor in the Department of Theatre and Dance, will highlight the significance of Juneteenth and the events of June 19, 1865.

"For African Americans, the act of telling your story has never been casual," said Dr. Donyale Padgett, vice provost for inclusive excellence. "It has been an act of resistance. It has been the difference between being remembered and being erased."

Event details:
What: "Centering Stories of Resilience: A Centennial Celebration of Black History"
When: Wednesday, June 17, 2026, 4:30-7 p.m.
Where: Industry Innovation Center, Wayne State University, 461 Burroughs St., Detroit
RSVP: http://bit.ly/430B01w
Admission: Free and open to the public