This year, for the first time, Juneteenth will be celebrated as an Alaska state holiday and a holiday for City and Borough of Juneau workers.
Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, got word of the Emancipation Proclamation — two years after it was issued. The day became a federal holiday in 2021.
The Juneau Black Awareness Association has hosted Juneteenth community events in the past, but has seen a newfound interest in the holiday, said Christina Michelle, member and host of Culture Rich Conversations, a radio series created by BAA and KTOO.
“We’ve always celebrated it, but we actually have people looking for the celebration now, wanting to know what we’re doing, wanting to know how they can support. And of course, that means the world to us,” she said.
Gov. Mike Dunleavy, R-Alaska, signed legislation making Juneteenth a state holiday in 2024. The bill was sponsored by Sen. Elvi Gray-Jackson, D-Anchorage.
Juneteenth became an observed holiday for city employees during a CBJ special assembly meeting June 11, when it was included in a labor agreement between the city and the Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association. The city also authorized wage increases and the observance of Juneteenth for city employees not represented by MEBA.
City and Borough of Juneau offices and facilities will be closed on Thursday, with some exceptions.
“Whereas before, people might have known about it or known what it is, now that it’s an actual thing — that they don’t have to go to work and they’re still getting paid — they are taking more interest,” Michelle said.“We have gotten a lot more participation, or interest in participating in the celebration this year.”
The Juneau Black Awareness Association has planned two pay-as-you-can movie nights at the Gold Town Nickelodeon Theater. Proceeds will fund the BAA Black Excellence Scholarship Fund. BAA moved to hosting an indoor movie night this year due to weather conditions. In past years, it has been celebrated outdoors with food and music.
The BAA will host a showing of “The Wiz” at 6 p.m. on Thursday. The film “Glory” will be shown on Saturday at 7 p.m.
“It’s a huge celebration in the Black community, and we are very pleased that it’s catching on in our country,” Michelle said.
• Contact Natalie Buttner at natalie.buttner@juneauempire.com.
