The University of Michigan will celebrate the 3rd Annual Juneteenth Symposium. The theme of this year’s event is Systems Check: Exploring Structural Solutions to Systemic Racism.

Juneteenth events honor the progress of African Americans in the U.S. since the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 while continuing to recognize the ongoing efforts to overcome systemic injustices and inequities faced by Black communities. This year’s celebratory events include a community prayer breakfast, a black film festival, and the Kidz Zone tent at the Top of the Park. A host of panel discussions will highlight topics such as housing discrimination and voter suppression, to name a few.

Our hope is to enrich the University of Michigan and Ann Arbor communities by underscoring the importance of Juneteenth ensuring all students, staff, faculty, and residents feel a deep sense of belonging. We hope you can join us for our celebration while we advance our educational mission as a university and seek to empower the community in a longstanding annual tradition to promote Black liberation and excellence.