88nine: Community Stories

The annual Juneteenth celebration — recognized annually on June 19 — commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. It was on that day in 1865 when the final enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation occurred in Texas.While it took another 156 years for Juneteenth to become an official federal holiday (in 2021, in case you don’t want to do the math), the celebration has deep roots in Milwaukee. Led by Northcott Neighborhood House, the event is considered one of the oldest and longest-running in the country.Still, organizers keep finding brand new ways for history to unfold in our city. And this year, for the first time, Milwaukee’s official Juneteenth celebration is teaming up with the World’s Largest Music Festival: Summerfest.That means things won’t just happen in the Bronzeville neighborhood. After the daytime festivities, the night will continue at the Summerfest grounds with an introduction of the Juneteenth Court and, of course, the music. Artists like The Isley Brothers, Ginuwine, Bow Wow, Mi