Diversity Events

Missouri Human Rights Conference

Juneteenth

Celebrate Juneteenth at these Missouri events:

Join Jefferson Citians at the Juneteenth Heritage Celebration on June 11 – 17. This family-friendly celebration will have activities for all ages. Events include the Juneteenth Father’s Day Banquet at 2 p.m. on June 11 at the Lincoln University Student Center, 820 Chestnut Street; the Juneteenth Emancipation Program at the Lincoln University Soldiers Memorial Plaza and Memorial Hall, 820 Chestnut Street on June 17 at 10 a.m.; and the Little Mister and Miss Juneteenth Pageant on June 16 at 7 p.m. at the Pawley Theatre, Martin Luther King Hall, Lincoln University Campus. The concluding event, the Juneteenth Heritage Festival, will be held at Ellis Porter-Riverside Park, 320 Ellis Porter Drive, on June 17 starting at 11 a.m., with exhibitors, vendors, games, food, and music. Entertainment on the “Grande’ Stage” this year includes DJ Rhonda Harper and the Juneteenth’s Got Talent competition. For more information, visit online or email [email protected].
Celebrate Juneteenth at the Family Fun Fest on June 21 at Cosmo Park, Columbia. The free activities begin at 6 p.m. and will focus on Missouri wildlife and outdoor activities. For more information or additional events, visit the online monthly calendar.

Don’t miss Juneteenth at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art on June 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Enjoy music, entertainment, visual and literacy arts, and educational presentations. For tickets, parking, and additional event information, visit the site.
JuneteenthKC 2017 festivities will be held on June 17 in the historic 18th and Vine District. This free event kicks off at noon and includes live entertainment, a healthy life style kid’s zone, and retail vendors.
In honor of Juneteenth, the Kansas City Public Library, Central location, will present Occidental College history professor Sharla M. Fett’s discussion of her book Recaptured Africans: Surviving Slave Ships, Detention, and Dislocation in the Final Years of the Slave Trade. Arrive early on June 19 for the 6 p.m. reception or at 6:30 p.m. for the program start. For additional detail or to RSVP, explore the site.
On June 18, Joplin will host a Juneteenth celebration from 1 – 2 p.m. at George Washington Carver National Monument. Visit online for updated information.

Join East St. Louis and the Community Development Sustainable Solutions organization in honoring Juneteenth on June 17 from noon to 8 p.m. at Kenneth Hall/Jones Park Boathouse. The event will highlight unity and wellness and will focus on boosting sickle cell disease awareness with sweet potato and carrot seedlings available to further promote healthy living. This year’s theme will explore mass incarceration and the school-to-prison pipeline. Visit the site for Juneteenth updates and future events.
Songwriters may celebrate by showcasing their original music in the genres of gospel, R&B, soul, rap, hip-hop, blues, and jazz at Let Your Voice Be Heard songwriting contest. Auditions will be held on June 3 from 2 – 5 p.m. at the Schlafly Branch, June 10 from 2 – 5 p.m. at the Divoll Branch, and June 17 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Julia Davis Branch and from 2 – 5 p.m. at the Cabanne Branch. Finalists compete beginning at noon on June 24 at the St. Louis Public Library’s Schlafly Branch.
Enhance your Juneteenth celebration by joining St. Louis residents on June 16 – 17 to enjoy the annual RFT Music Showcase taking place in the Grove area of Manchester Avenue. Visit online for the latest information about this event featuring nine venues and over 100 bands.
Explore African American History and Genealogy on June 17 at 1 p.m. in the AT&T Foundation Multipurpose Room, Missouri History Museum, St. Louis. Check online for updates and future related events.

Missourians pay tribute to the LGBTQ communities at the following events and celebrations.

Join the celebration of LGBTQ rights and tolerance for all at Pride St. Louis. The festivities take place June 23 – 25 in downtown St. Louis and include two stages with live entertainment and a parade. To volunteer or obtain additional information visit the site.
Kansas Citians will show their pride at KC PrideFest on June 2 – 4 at Berkley Riverfront Park. Bring your lawn chair and enjoy daytime children’s activities, volleyball, musical entertainment, animal adoption, and a health center. Further festival details and specific activity schedule available on the website.
Plan to join the 17^th annual Kansas City LGBT Film Festival occurring June 22 – 29 at Tivoli Cinemas.
Don’t miss the family-friendly activities at Joplin Pride 2017. The free festival fun kicks off at noon on June 10 in Landreth Park.
Visit the Mid-Missouri PrideFest for family-friendly festivities at Rose Music Hall, Columbia, on August 26. Check out the site for the latest updates.
Celebrate diversity and equality at the Greater Ozarks Pridefest on June 17 in downtown Springfield’s Park Central Square. Visit online for updated information and additional events.

Individuals may visit the following resources to learn more: