The 9th annual Juneteenth celebration slated for Jonesboro
KLEK 102.5 FM General Manager LaGanzie Kale told Talk Business & Politics the radio station is set to host the 9th annual Juneteenth celebration in Jonesboro. It’s a weeklong community celebration honoring freedom, culture, education, and unity, he said.
Numerous events will be held starting June 12 and will culminate with a celebration on the official holiday on June 19. This year’s theme is “Rooted in History, Rising Together.”
“Every year we want Juneteenth in Jonesboro to educate, inspire, and bring people together,” Kale said. “This celebration is about honoring the past while building stronger connections for the future. We are grateful to the community for continuing to support and grow this event year after year.”
Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, the day enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas were finally informed of their freedom, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. In 2021, the day became a national holiday.
KLEK began organizing Juneteenth in Jonesboro in 2017 to create a meaningful community celebration centered around history, culture, education, and unity, he said. Over the years, the event has evolved into a citywide tradition bringing together residents from across Northeast Arkansas to commemorate freedom and celebrate the contributions of African Americans to American history and culture, he added.
Founded in 2015, KLEK LP 102.5 FM is Jonesboro’s first and only Black owned community radio station.
Schedule of Events:
Friday, June 12
Juneteenth Kickoff Celebration
Legends BBQ Smokehouse
1025 W. Johnson Ave., Jonesboro, AR
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Saturday, June 13
Community Health Screening
St. Bernard’s Auditorium
505 E. Washington Ave., Jonesboro, AR
Begins at 8:30 AM
Juneteenth Parade
Lineup: St. Bernard’s Auditorium
505 E. Washington Ave., Jonesboro, AR
9:00 AM lineup | 9:30 AM start
Community Fair
Parker Park Community Center
1506 N. Church St., Jonesboro, AR
4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Sunday, June 14
Community Worship Service
Fullness of Joy Ministries
2120 Thorn St., Jonesboro, AR
3:00 PM
Monday, June 15
American Red Cross Blood Drive
Parker Park Community Center
1506 N. Church St., Jonesboro, AR
12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
“The Cost of Freedom” with Dr. Cherisse Jones-Branch
Streamed live on KLEK social media
7:00 PM
Tuesday, June 16
Virtual Political Forum
Hosted by Kappa Nu Omega Chapter
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Streamed live on KLEK social media
Wednesday, June 17
KASU Public Radio Art Meripol Black History Exhibit
Arkansas State University Humanities Building
5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Thursday, June 18
Juneteenth Jam
Featuring Mark Echols, Ray Kelly, and Live Band
Legends BBQ Smokehouse
1025 W. Johnson Ave., Jonesboro, AR
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
$10 Admission | 21+ Event
Friday, June 19 – Juneteenth
The Baritone Jazz Junction Jazz Concert
Craighead County Jonesboro Public Library
315 W. Oak Ave., Jonesboro, AR
6:00 PM
Juneteenth Fireworks Celebration
University Lions Park
502 1/2 N. Bridge Street, Jonesboro, AR
Gates Open: 8:30 PM
Fireworks Begin: 9:15 PM