ITHACA, N.Y. — Southside Community Center, Inc. will hold its annual Juneteenth Festival on Saturday, June 16th 2018 from 12:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. at 305 S. Plain Street followed by an event at our local Forest City Lodge located at 536 W. Green Street.
On Sunday we will host a Father’s Day Brunch in collaboration with Calvary Baptist Church and A.M.E. Zion Church at 305 S. Plain Street.
● Block Party Festival: Saturday, June 16th 12:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m.
● After Party: Saturday, June 16th 10:00 p.m. -1:30 a.m.
● Father’s Day Brunch: Sunday, June 17th 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of African/European slavery in the United States. Juneteenth commemorates African-American freedom and emphasizes education, achievement, and community.
Community members are invited to attend and enjoy great food, live music, children’s activities, a raffle with prizes from dozens of local businesses, and unique vendors. Representatives from local community organizations will share information and resources.
Black Love is our theme for Juneteenth 2018, as it helps us honor our ancestry while emphasizing the self-love and collective-pride that is needed to interrupt internalized racism today. The concept of Black Love invites everyone to celebrate the intersectional beauty and struggle of Blackness and it encourages experiences of emancipatory learning.
“I believe that this nation can only heal from the wounds of racism if we all begin to love Blackness. And by that I don’t mean that we love that which is best within us, but that we’re also able to love that which is faltering, which is wounded, which is contradictory, incomplete.” -bell hooks
“The moment we choose to love we begin to move against domination, against oppression. The moment we choose to love we begin to move towards freedom, to act in ways that liberate ourselves and others. That action is the testimony of love as the practice of freedom” -bell hooks
For more information or to donate, be a vendor, performer, and/or volunteer please email: southsidejuneteenth@gmail.com or call (607) 273-4190