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Bishop Joseph Johnson Black Cultural Center

Juneteenth Campus Events

The Black Cultural Center is proud to present a comprehensive list of events as part of our Juneteenth Celebration of Freedom!  Below, you will find a description and flyer for each event. NOTE: All times listed are in Central Standard Time (CST).

JUNETEENTH EVentS 2023

THURSDAY, JUNE 15

HOOPS & HOPE – Celebrating Black History and Community

11:00 AM to 5:00 PM | In Person

Vanderbilt University has partnered with PepsiCo, Hoopbus, and Metro Nashville Parks to provide for the installation of a new outdoor basketball court at Watkins Park in North Nashville.

Hoops and Hope is a celebration of the North Nashville community’s resilience, creativity, and hope. It reminds us of the power of collaboration and the importance of preserving our history and culture. The event will celebrate the legacy of Perry Wallace, the first African American basketball player in the Southeastern Conference. Wallace, who died in 2017, made history when he enrolled at Vanderbilt in 1966 and broke the color barrier in the SEC.

The event will take place on June 15 in honor of Juneteenth and will feature basketball clinics, games, activities for all ages, food, and music. To help our local community centers, please bring a sports-related item for donation.

This event will take place at Watkins Park. For more information about this event, please visit the website found here.

 

THURSDAY, JUNE 15

Juneteenth, Music, and Black American Resilience

11:00 AM to 12:00 PM | Virtual

Juneteenth provides a time to celebrate the freedom of enslaved people in the United States. This is not only a time to acknowledge the impact of African enslavement but the endurance and resiliency of African American people. Music is often an unsung hero on the road to racial justice and equality. From spirituals that pointed a way on the Underground Railroad to gospel songs that offered comfort to many during the civil rights era, there are countless ways music has influenced and inspired the Black community in the face of racism.

Join this Gathering to talk more about Juneteenth and the role music plays in the lives of Black Americans.

Complete the following steps to register for the Gatherings.

  1. Visit learn.lyrahealth.com
  2. Upon reaching the log in page, go to “New user? Register”
  3. Complete the registration form (enter #vanderbilt511 for the customer code)
  4. Check your email for the link to complete the registration process

FRIDAY, JUNE 16

JUNETEENTH SPEAKER SERIES

10:00 AM – 11:00 AM | In-Person (BCC Auditorium Room 118) 

Join us for two dynamic speakers as part of the School of Medicine and Basic Sciences Juneteenth activities!

Session 1 at 10:00 AM – Dr. Learotha Williams

  • “Freedom’s Joyful Day:  Celebrating and Reflecting on the Meaning of Juneteenth”
  • Featuring Dr. Learotha Williams, Professor – Department of History, Political Science, Geography, and Africana Studies at Tennessee State University

 

Session 2 at 1:00 PM – Dr. Racquel Martin

  • “Self-care and Wellness”
  • Featuring Dr. Racquel Martin, Assistant Professor – Department of Psychological Sciences and Counseling at Tennessee State University

The series is co-sponsored by the BCC and will take place inside the auditorium of the Black Cultural Center (Room 118). If you would like to attend the talks virtually, please scan the QR code on the flyer or register through the link here.

JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION OF FREEDOM

11:00 AM – 2:00 PM | In-Person 

Join us for a festive Juneteenth Celebration of Freedom! This in-person event will feature several Black-owned food truck vendors, the rhythmic sounds of Nature’s Drummers, a DJ, and numerous interactive Juneteenth games!  The celebration begins in the Sarratt Promenade and ends at the Black Cultural Center Courtyard. All attendees should start at the Sarratt Promenade to participate in Juneteenth activities to receive tickets to visit the food trucks:)

While at the BCC Courtyard, attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about the work of the Nashville Community Bail Fund. Each year, during the Juneteenth Celebration, the BCC partners with a local non-profit whose work and mission fit within the freedom spirit of the holiday.

Click here to see photos from the 2022 Juneteenth Celebration of Freedom!

This event is co-sponsored by:

  • The Office for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
  • Auxillary Services (Campus Dining)
  • Association of Vanderbilt Black Faculty and Staff
  • The Department of African American and Diaspora Studies
  • Vanderbilt Student Affairs
  • Student Center for Social Justice and Identity
  • School of Medicine Basic Sciences
  • Vanderbilt University Police Department (VUPD)

 

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