Events

Oglethorpe to honor Juneteenth holiday with special lecture, celebration

In addition to a university holiday, Oglethorpe will mark Juneteenth with a special lecture from Associate Professor of African American Studies at Georgia State University Dr. Maurice Hobson and a celebration featuring soul food and a DJ.

A combination of the words “June” and “nineteenth,” Juneteenth commemorates the announcement of General Order No. 3 on June 19, 1865. On this day, Union Army Major General Gordon Granger delivered the proclamation to the people of Texas, informing them of the news that all slaves were free. Originating in Galveston, Texas, Juneteenth celebrations are now held across the country. It is the oldest and most popular celebration of emancipation in the U.S. In 2021, Juneteenth became a federal holiday.

At Oglethorpe, everyone is encouraged to celebrate the holiday and the beauty and resilience of Black culture and history. The Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and the Black Faculty and Staff Affinity Group invite the Oglethorpe community to join in recognizing Juneteenth through several upcoming events.

Thursday, June 16, 10:30 a.m., TLCC Trustee Room
Juneteenth festivities will begin with Dr. Hobson’s lecture, titled “In That Great Gettin’ Morning: Towards Juneteenth!” which will discuss the historical importance of the holiday. Dr. Hobson is also the award-winning author of “The Legend of the Black Mecca: Politics and Class in the Making of Modern Atlanta.” His research topics include African American history, 20th Century U.S. history, comparative labor, African American studies, oral history and ethnography, urban and rural history, political economy, and popular cultural studies.

Thursday, June 16, 12 p.m., Conant Veranda
Following Dr. Hobson’s lecture, please join members of the OU community for a celebration on the Conant Veranda. Food will be catered by Auntie Al’s Carolina De’Lish — a food truck specializing in soul food. Music will be provided by Diggs the DJ.

Additionally, Oglethorpe’s Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Dr. Laura Renée Chandler will participate in a special, Juneteenth episode of “Closer Look with Rose Scott” — a long-running Atlanta WABE/NPR radio show — broadcast live in front of an audience at the Atlanta History Center. Tickets are free to the public.

The City of Atlanta will also host a Juneteenth celebration from June 17-19, which includes a musical festival and parade in Centennial Olympic Park.

Because Juneteenth occurs on a Sunday this year, the university will be closed on Monday, June 20 in observance of the holiday.

 

Print Friendly, PDF & Email