Juneteenth Community Day Celebration
Saturday, June 15; 11 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Register

Visitors can join the museum for its Juneteenth Community Day, themed “Freedom, Movement, and Migration,” Saturday, June 15. This special day is designed to engage people of all ages in a meaningful celebration of freedom and cultural evolution, commemorating Juneteenth’s significance in the journey toward equality and recognition in American history. The museum will celebrate Juneteenth early with a day filled with educational, cultural and dynamic programs that enrich understanding and honor the legacy of freedom, movement and migration. Juneteenth Community Day promises an unforgettable experience, blending history, culture and celebration.

Full schedule for Saturday, June 15:

Juneteenth Storytime
11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Visitors can delight their little ones with engaging story sessions and introduce them to diverse perspectives, fostering a love for reading. The museum will feature Tami Charles reading her latest book, We Are Here.

Crafts of Juneteenth
12 p.m.–2 p.m. 
Participants can design their own Juneteenth flag and create art based on the life and works of artist, veteran and fish pepper seed enthusiast, Horace Pippin. All ages are welcome. 

Presenting the Buffalo Soldiers
11 a.m.–1 p.m.; 2 p.m.–4 p.m.  
Visitors can learn about the 19th- and 20th-century all-Black regiments’ pivotal role in supporting the nation’s westward expansion, presented by representatives from the U.S. Forest Service and the Buffalo Soldiers, Greater Washington DC Chapter, 9th and 10th Cavalry Association.  

Juneteenth Chef’s Table and Book Signing 
12 p.m.–2 p.m.
A special plant-based menu will be curated by renowned vegan chef and food activist Bryant Terry at the museum’s Sweet Home Café. Books by Terry, such as Afro-Vegan, Vegetable Kingdom and Black Food, will be signed by him and available for purchase.  

Mixology of Juneteenth
12 p.m.–2 p.m.  
Participants can join the Sweet Home Café for an exciting mocktail workshop. Denise Jones, the café’s general manager, will demonstrate how to make traditional Juneteenth mocktails, including hibiscus “Red Drink,” mint lemonade and other delicious drinks using fresh ingredients from NMAAHC’s Pippin Garden.  

Juneteenth Soundstage 
3 p.m. 
Visitors can experience soul-stirring live jazz performances by Alphonso Horne and the Gotham. Kings in Heritage Hall. They can dive into the evolution of jazz, celebrating its diverse regional styles and role as a symbol of movement, migration and resilience.  

A Seat at the Table: A Juneteenth Conversation with Bryant Terry and Kevin Young  
Saturday, June 15; 6:45 p.m. 
Heritage Hall 
$40. Registration is required. 

The museum will present a special edition of a signature program that brings together two remarkable voices in a dynamic dialogue about food, culture and social justice. Bryant Terry, the James Beard Award-winning chef, food activist and author of the acclaimed Black Food, will sit down with NMAAHC’s director Kevin Young to explore the rich tapestry of African American cuisine and its evolution through the lens of migration, identity and resilience. Terry will also discuss his groundbreaking approach to veganism, challenging stereotypes of African American cuisine and promoting healthy eating as a form of social justice activism.   
 
During this event, attendees can indulge in a special plant-based meal curated by Terry, designed to celebrate the vibrancy and diversity of African American cuisine and Juneteenth. They can also participate in a small discussion at their tables about healthier ways of eating, explore ancestral forms of cooking and learn how to share these time-honored meals and practices with their families and communities.