JUNETEENTH LUNCH & CELEBRATION
SUNDAY, JUNE 14, AT 1:00 IN THE UNDERCROFT
Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.—Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
CELEBRATION: Ascension will celebrate Juneteenth with lunch followed by fun and educational activities for children and adults.
LUNCH: We’ll connect with each other over a multicultural lunch. Grilled burgers, hotdogs, and brisket will be provided by Avin Lalmansingh and Danielle Allen. Please bring a side dish or dessert showcasing your own cultural heritage (include a note with list of ingredients).
ACTIVITIES: Anika Lalmansingh will share a brief history of Juneteenth, and we’ll hear from guests whose families have traditionally celebrated Juneteenth. There will be a story-reading corner for children and quizzes for kids and adults with prizes awarded.
HISTORY: Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of all enslaved African Americans in the United States. An official holiday since 2021, Juneteenth National Independence Day is held on the anniversary of June 19, 1865, the day the Union Army brought the announcement proclaiming freedom for all enslaved people to Galveston, Texas—the last corner of the last state of the Confederacy with institutional slavery.
JUNETEENTH’S SIGNIFICANCE: Celebrated by many African Americans for generations through food and fellowship, Juneteenth embodies Black resilience, independence, and community. On this day, we commemorate the end of slavery and the promise of freedom—expressed through music, food, and ceremony.
QUESTIONS? Contact Avin at avin.lalmansingh@gmail.com or Danielle at danielle.a.allen@gmail.com.
