We are blessed in the Midsouth particularly, the City of Memphis, because we have legislators who get it. We have elected officials who not only talk the talk but walk the walk. The Juneteenth holiday honors June 19th, 1865 -- the day the last slaves (Texas) in the Confederacy territory were emancipated. Last year it became a federal holiday in the United States.
Before Juneteenth was a federal holiday the Shelby County Commission made Juneteenth a county holiday, following many states and cities that already observed Juneteenth as a holiday. Shelby County Commissioner Van Turner says that he remembers after the George Floyd murder that issue became more prevalent.
Many in the city of Memphis have held Juneteenth festivals for quite some time and this year will be no different.
Join me by clicking the link below to listen to the Pulse podcast. Hear Cynthia Daniels talk about her Juneteenth Shop Black festival on Father's Day. Shelby County Commissioner Van Turner, Who is an attorney and the president of the NAACP shares about the Memphis Juneteenth festival this Saturday and Sunday in Memphis, TN. I am also joined by Dr. Noel Trent with a NCRM, she shares Juneteenth events happening all weekend at the Museum and the Lorraine motel in Memphis Tennessee.
Click to read all of the events happening in Memphis this weekend.