The Bond Arts and Culture Series has announced its Juneteenth celebration activities at Chattanooga State Community College for Saturday, June 19. Located on the main campus at 4501 Amnicola Highway, the event will include workshops, meditation, yoga, dance, and enrollment assistance featuring free appetizers, ending with an invitation to participate in a free city-wide Juneteenth event.

Juneteenth, which is short for “June Nineteenth,” is the day in 1865 when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas to ensure that all enslaved people be freed. It is considered the longest running African American holiday.

Beginning at 10:00 a.m., Chattanooga State will open the day’s festivities in the outdoor Amphitheater, then move to the C.C. Bond Humanities Theatre where “Scratching Your Roots – Black Genealogy Workshop,” in partnership with Chattanooga Arts and Ideas Fest, will continue until 12 p.m. Hosted by State Representative JoAnne Favors, this workshop is designed to help those of African descent discover their ancestry.  

A Healing Meditation in the Amphitheater will begin at 12:20 p.m. followed by Healing Yoga in room OMN-124 at 12:30 p.m. Healing Yoga is sponsored by Cage Fitness and Yoga Lounge. Next, get ready to enjoy Line Dancing back in the Amphitheater from 1:30 to 2:00 p.m.

During the Juneteenth celebration activities, Chattanooga State’s Recruiting Department will hold an “Applications and Appetizers” event from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for individuals who apply or enroll for classes this fall. This event will feature free appetizers from local food truck vendors. Recruiting and enrollment staff will be on hand to assist with application and enrollment processes and the event will provide an opportunity for attendees to meet some of Chattanooga State’s faculty and staff.

From 3:00 to 9:00 p.m., all participants are invited to attend the free city-wide Juneteenth Independence Day Block Party, a Chattanooga Arts and Ideas Fest, at Community Haven, 815 North Hickory Street. The event features a Legacy Music Festival, local artists, performers, vendors, food trucks, field games and other activities.

Chattanooga State’s Juneteenth event is a continuing part of the Bond Arts and Culture Series established by Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in the fall of 2020 to honor the late Dr. Claude C. Bond, a longtime educator and activist known in the community for his work toward improving race relations. For more information, contact Stracee Jones at (423) 697-2409 or email stracee.jones@chattanoogastate.edu.