Stay in the Mix

You can get party and concert listings just about anywhere, but unless you're up on the latest happenings that celebrate Black culture and women's interests--festivals, expos, exhibitions, performances, fairs, film screenings, and more--well, then you're not really in the mix!

Upcoming:

JUNETEENTH CELEBRATIONS!
Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States. Although the Emancipation Proclamation was issued in 1863, news of freedom did not reach Galveston, Texas, until two and a half years later when Major General Gordon Granger arrived on June 19 and announced that the Civil War was over and all slaves were free. Ever since, African Americans have marked Juneteenth with special celebrations, family gatherings, and traditions commemorating the historic moment. How about you?

Philadelphia, PA: Check out the Juneteenth National Freedom Day and AAMP Anniversary Celebration on June 19. To preserve the Junteenth legacy, AAMP celebrates their 32nd anniversary through historical re-enactments, readings, music, dance and more. This free event will be held at the African Museum of Philadelphia, 701 Arch Street. For more information go to the African Museum of Philadelphia web site.

St. Petersburg, FL: Do not miss the St. Petersburg Juneteenth Family Festival on June 21. Organized to acknowledge the achievements of community leaders and to educate the public about Juneteenth, the festival will be one the whole family can enjoy. Carnival games, health screenings, beauty makeovers, and live musical performances will take place. This event will be held at the Campbell Park and Community Center, 601- 14th Street South. For more information, go to the festival web site.

San Francisco, CA: Celebrate Juneteenth 2008, June 21-22. This festival opens with a parade on Saturday and continues with live entertainment, music, educational speakers, food, arts and crafts, and a health and job fair throughout the weekend. This free event will take place at the San Francisco Civic Center, 1150 Market St. For more information, go to the Juneteenth 2008 web site.

For more Juneteenth events, check out the National Registry of Juneteenth Organizations and Supporters.

ALSO IN THE MIX...

Tampa, FL: Don't miss the Black Writers Reunion and Conference, June 19-21. This conference will help you to improve your writing, develop new skills, increase your publishing knowledge, launch and build your writing career, and expand the network of people who can relate to your dreams and inspire you to surpass them. This event will be held at the Sheraton Tampa Riverwalk Hotel, 200 North Ashley Drive. For more information go to the Black Writers Reunion and Conference web site.

San Francisco, CA: Don't miss the Double Exposure Artists Panel, June 22. In conjunction with Double Exposure: African Americans Before and Behind the Camera, join a dialogue with local artists whose works are included in the exhibition. Led by Carla Williams, the focus of the discussion will be on technology, both its impact as a tool of creation as well as its use as a tool of self-promotion, publication, and mass communication. A reception immediately follows. You must RSVP for admittance to program. This event will be held at the Museum of the African Diaspora, 685 Mission Street. For more information go to the Museum of the African Diaspora web site.

New York , NY: Don't miss the panel discussion "Ethiopia at 2000: The Faiths of the Book" on June 22. The panel will address the role of Ethiopia in influencing and developing the three major religions of the Bible: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The panelists are Dr. Yohannes Zeleke, professor of history at George Washington University; Dr. Ephraim Issac, professor of religion and African American studies at Princeton University; and Dr. Ayele Bekerie, assistant professor at the Africana Studies and Research Center of Cornell University. There will also be cultural performances by Ethiopian, Indian, and West African dance groups. This event will be held at the Langston Hughes Auditorium, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, 515 Malcolm X Boulevard. For more information go to the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture web site.

Chicago, IL: Don't miss a screening of the film Respect Yourself: The Stax Records Story on June 22. Part of Cinema Legacy Sundays, the documentary tells the story of Stax Records in Memphis, Tennessee. Between 1959 and 1975, the label released international chart-topping hits such as "Soul Man," "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay," and "Respect Yourself." Founded by a White, conservative bank teller who played country fiddle music, Stax became the preeminent soul music label in America, and became identified with the civil rights movement of the 1960s and '70s. This event will be held at the DuSable Museum of African American History, 740 E. 56th Place. For more information go to the DuSable Museum of African American History web site.

Chicago, IL: Don't miss the MAAX Summit: Marketing to African Americans with Excellence, June 30-July 1. Learn the strategies, trends and findings in Black consumer advertising and marketing research. Network and negotiate with the industry's most influential executives and decision makers. Nia Enterprises' founder and CEO, Cheryl Mayberry McKissack, will present findings on Black consumers' outlook. This event will be held at the Wyndham Hotel, 633 N. St. Clair Street. For more information go to the MAAX Summit web site.

Let us know what's going on in the mix where you live. Send an email to editorial@niaenterprises.com (please include the city, state, date, time, address, a 2-sentence description of the event, and a web site or telephone number where people can get more information), and we may include your event in our calendar.