JUNETEENTH GALORE
Juneteenth, celebrated on June 19th, commemorates the end of slavery in the United States and is marked by various events across Massachusetts, each highlighting different aspects of African American history and culture. In Boston, several key events will take place. One notable celebration is the 14th Annual Boston Juneteenth Emancipation Observance on June 19th. Organized by the Boston Juneteenth Committee and the National Center of Afro-American Artists, the day will feature a flag-raising ceremony, a parade, and cultural performances. This event is a testament to Boston›s historical role in the abolitionist movement and its ongoing commitment to racial equality (City Experiences™) (MeetBoston). Another significant event in Boston is the Embrace Ideas Festival from June 18th to June 20th. This multi-day event brings together leaders and activists to discuss arts, culture, and racial equity, emphasizing Boston›s vision for a transformed future grounded in anti-racism (MeetBoston). North of Boston, the town of Newburyport will host a concert by Crys Matthews at the Belleville Congregational Church on June 16th. Matthews is known for her social justicethemed music, and her performance will celebrate the spirit of Juneteenth through powerful and thought-provoking songs (VisitMA). Additionally, the Lynn Museum will host a family-friendly Juneteenth celebration on June 22nd, featuring music, food, and community activities to honor the resilience and strength of Black Americans (VisitMA).
South of Boston, the Pilgrim Hall Museum in Plymouth will host a lecture by Rev. Dr. Robert Gomes on June 19th. Dr. Gomes will share his experiences in preserving the Parting Ways site, an African American community established after the American Revolution. This event will delve into the historical significance
of the community and its enduring legacy (VisitMA). In Central Massachusetts, Natick will celebrate with a reading of Frederick Douglass’s “What to a Slave is the 4th of July“at the Morse Institute Library, followed by a larger Juneteenth event on Natick Common. This gathering will feature speakers, performances, and activities designed to educate and engage the community in the history and significance of Juneteenth (VisitMA). Western Massachusetts will see a comprehensive celebration in Amherst on June 15th, with events spread across various venues, including the Amherst Women’s Club and the Town Common. The celebrations will highlight the cultural heritage and historical contributions of African Americans through performances and educational activities (VisitMA). Similarly, Old Sturbridge Village will host a day of reflection and celebration on June 19th, offering discussions, performances, and educational sessions about the history and significance of Juneteenth (VisitMA). Lastly, the 4th Annual Town of Brookline Juneteenth Celebration on June 19th will start with a freedom march to honor the enslaved individuals of Brookline, followed by festivities at Brookline Avenue Park. This event focuses on community engagement and remembrance, providing a platform for education and celebration of Black history (Humanitix). Each of these events across Massachusetts not only celebrates Juneteenth but also emphasizes the ongoing journey towards racial equality and the importance of remembering and honoring the past. —Diaspora Massachusetts
NOTES FROM THE CREW
Dear People, Thanks for picking up the rag! I continue to be grateful and amazed that y›all been picking this thing up for 14 years now. It has been a rollercoaster journey of epic volunteerism, sheer will and a profound love for the wild creatives who make this city worth living in. Of course we love sharing the highs (expanding to 8 pages, paying contributors, landing our amazing Editor-in-Chief Bota…) and it’s what our achievement-oriented society loves to see. But we are equally proud to share our lows as part of this incredible journey of a free independent newspaper that has come out every month for 14 years. If you’ve gotten this far, you appreciate the wildly impractical challenge of running a free newspaper. You are the miracle that makes it possible, with your readership (you WithFriends Patreon supporters espesh!). And I realize now, that in addition to all your support, and our over 400 volunteers since 2010, that I have been blessed with really good health that gave me the ability to volunteer all these years. But life be lifeing and the challenges keep coming. Even after surviving Covid changing our whole cultural landscape and pushing all small businesses to the brink of closure, in 2022, my legs went numb and I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, one of those bummer conditions with no cure. Although the Compass has always been sustained by literally hundreds of incredible volunteers, a big part of it has been my obsession with consistency and the energy I expend to keep people excited and invested. And the fact is I just have a little less to give these days!
So we are taking this as an opportunity to spend the next few months reimagining what the next era of the Compass will look like. And that includes you. Are you connected to any critical institutions that would benefit from a newspaper dedicated to supporting local Boston culture, art and identity? Partnerships, sponsorships, collaborations, we are open to all perspectives that come our way, but will be prioritizing long term, big picture support aligned with our mission. Our biggest focus is reaching a fundraising goal of 125 Patreon supporters and 10 annual sponsors by the end of the year, to sustain us as we are now. And if we can’t make that happen, we will continue to flow and adjust as we always have, and will keep you posted along the way. We invite you to dream big but stay grounded with us. Our world is facing formidable challenges right now, and while we truly believe in the value of what we do, all we can really hope for is that you plug-in and support the work you believe in out there. We hope to keep navigating and signal boosting for many issues to come but no matter what happens, our love for this city remains abundant. Peace, Sam P & The BCN Team —> PATREON —> DONATE —> SPONSOR —> PARTNER/COLLAB —> VOLUNTEER Ps. RIP BOOMERANGS, one of our very first sponsors. We will always love you and your community of staff volunteers, donors and shoppers. Everything changes but this is a gut punch.
DESIGNERS:
Phoebe Delmonte: p.1,4,5 Hannah Blauner: p.2,3,7 Adrian Alvarez: p.6,8