WSU continues its Juneteenth tradition with June 17 celebration

Continuing its annual tradition of honoring Juneteenth, Wayne State University will host "Centering Stories of Resilience: A Centennial Celebration of Black History." The event, which will be held at 4:30 p.m. on June 17 at the Industry Innovation Center, will explore the enduring legacy of emancipation while highlighting the importance of family history, community leadership and cultural preservation.

A panel discussion will feature WSU professors Dr. Kefentse Chike and Dr. Kafi Kumasi and Detroit historian Jamon Jordan, who will examine the connections between genealogy, Juneteenth and Black history.

The conversation will explore how tracing family lineage can deepen understanding of identity, strengthen community ties and illuminate stories that have often gone untold.

"This year, our nation celebrates 250 years. This year is also the 100th anniversary of Black History Month, which started as Negro History Week," noted WSU's Vice Provost for Inclusive Excellence Dr. Donyale Padgett. "These histories are forever intertwined. We celebrate Juneteenth to honor the resilience of the ancestors whose stories and traditions guide us. We invite all members of our community to come out to help us highlight this special occasion."

The program will also include a performative history of Juneteenth presented by Associate Dean Billicia Hines and Assistant Professor Dr. RAS Mikey Courtney.

Attendees also will get a first look at a new documentary that showcases efforts of the Campus Genealogy Project - led by the Office of Inclusive Excellence - to uncover and preserve family histories.

From November to April, the Campus Genealogy Project sponsored workshops led by historian and genealogist Dr. Carolyn Carter that helped more than 20 members of the campus and alumni communities find missing pieces of their family's history. 

"This year's Juneteenth celebration theme, 'Centering Stories of Resilience,' shares the stories of those participants," Padgett explained.

Another highlight of the evening will be the presentation of the Dr. Marquita Chamblee Community Impact Award to Darcell Brown Jr., founder of the Umoja Debate League. The award recognizes Brown's contributions to youth development and community engagement through his work empowering young people across Detroit.

The program will conclude with a closing reflection focused on resilience, remembrance and the

continued importance of preserving Black history for future generations.

Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, the day Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, and informed enslaved African Americans that they were free - more than two years after the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation. The holiday is widely recognized as a celebration of freedom, resilience, and the ongoing pursuit of equality and justice in the United States.

Wayne State will be closed on June 19 in observance of Juneteenth.