Juneteenth

Juneteenth

June 19 marks Juneteenth, a holiday recognizing the emancipation of enslaved Black people after the Civil War and a “celebration of Black culture, freedom, and joy.” We encourage Lloyd community members to join us in getting involved by learning more about the historical significance of Juneteenth and attending events this weekend.

Juneteenth was first celebrated on June 19, 1866, one year after “General Order No.3” was issued, announcing to enslaved people in Texas that the Civil War had ended and that all enslaved people were free. While Juneteenth has been celebrated for over 100 years, broader public recognition of the holiday has only recently expanded: Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021 and will be an Oregon state holiday for the first time in 2022. 

Want to learn more? Check out these articles from The Root and the New York Times.

We at Lloyd EcoDistrict are especially excited to highlight the work of local organization Albina Vision Trust this Juneteenth. For Lloyd community members specifically, supporting this local Black-led organization is crucial, as Lloyd overlaps with Portland’s Albina neighborhood, a historically Black neighborhood that has faced urban renewal and displacement. Last year, Albina Vision Trust hosted a film festival highlighting the Black community in Portland. We encourage you to watch a recording of the event and learn more about their work here

Looking for an in-person event to attend this weekend? Make plans to stop by the Juneteenth Oregon 50th Parade & Festival

This celebration is organized by Juneteenth Oregon, a nonprofit organization that connects and strengthens communities and shares the history of Juneteenth. This free event will kick off the annual Parade on Saturday at 11 am and continues at Lillis-Albina Park, just north of the Lloyd neighborhood, with two full days of live music, over 50 retail vendors, a kid’s area, over 30 non-profit organizations providing information and resources, face painting, bounce house, beer & wine garden, food vendors and much more. More information can be found here.

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