Juneteenth at the Capitol offers something for everyone

This year’s Juneteenth celebration at the Minnesota State Capitol will feature more than music and food — it will be a launchpad for economic empowerment, wellness, and civic engagement.

The annual family-friendly event, organized by the ANIKA Foundation in partnership with Ramsey County and the Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage, will take place on Saturday, June 21, with soul singer Dwele headlining the main stage.

“This is what it looks like when we curate intentionally,” said Dr. Anika Robbins, founder of the ANIKA Foundation. “We’re honoring our ancestors, yes, but we’re also charting a course forward focused on health, wealth and opportunity.”

New to this year’s celebration is a career fair featuring state agencies recruiting for open roles and engaging in informal conversations with community members. “It’s a soft introduction,” Robbins explained. “We know people may not come in that spirit, but it’s a great opportunity to meet recruitment managers and learn what’s out there.”

She says the career fair became essential given the political landscape and rollback on DEI. Organizations that are committed to diverse working spaces will be available to explore the possibilities.

“We are meeting the needs of the people,” Robbins said.

Another new initiative is the Community Empowered Cohort, an evolution of the foundation’s earlier “Women Empowered” program. Backed by U.S. Bank, the eight-week cohort will support both men and women beginning the homebuying process, with access to mentorship, case management, and down payment assistance.

“This came out of our Covid-19 work, where we were a trusted messenger connecting people to resources,” said Robbins. “Now we’re focusing on wealth creation through homeownership.”

One of the most anticipated additions is the public launch of Arise Community Credit Union, a digital financial institution born out of years of organizing following the 2015 killing of Jamar Clark. Representatives from the credit union will be on site at the Capitol to open accounts and introduce themselves to the public.

“They chose to launch at our event, and it’s a perfect fit,” Robbins said. “It flows directly into our Juneteenth theme — uplifting Black excellence, creating access, and building power.”

The Capitol gathering is the centerpiece of a broader series of Juneteenth events organized by the Minnesota Humanities Center in collaboration with local partners:

• June 18, St. Paul: “Feeding Our Souls – The Essence of Juneteenth Joy” at the Minnesota History Center
• June 19, Minneapolis: Brunch and community conversation at Quincy Hall
• June 25, Minneapolis: Screening of “Reconstruction: Destructed” at the Capri Theater
• June 27, St. Paul: A special edition theatrical performance of “Kumbayah the Juneteenth Story” at The O’Shaughnessy

Robbins noted that while Juneteenth officially became a public holiday in Minnesota in 2021, its observance has always been about more than commemoration. “From the start, we’ve made this a resource-driven celebration,” she said. “That includes food distribution, health screenings, and civic education.”

This year’s event will again feature Clinic 555 offering STD testing, WIC services, mental health support, and more. Attendees can also participate in a survey related to the foundation’s latest project: a Workplace Wellness Initiative funded by the Minnesota Department of Health.

“We’re showing the correlation between workplace stress and health disparities,” Robbins said. “Yes, we talk about policing, but we also need to talk about the workplace. It’s a root cause of trauma and illness in our community.”

The initiative includes statewide listening sessions, peak-out parties promoting breast cancer screenings, and an advisory council working to envision the “ideal, safe workplace of the 21st century.”

Still, Robbins emphasized that Juneteenth remains a celebration at its core. “You’ll hear Afrobeat, jazz, hip hop and R&B,” she said. “You’ll taste cuisine from across the diaspora. It’s a spiritual and cultural feast, and it’s free.”

Additional performances by local funk band the Maxx Band, rapper Lewiee Blaze, Afrobeat artist Ceaser Weah and more will keep the event going with Emcee Vanessa Graddick on the mic. 

The ANIKA Foundation will also continue its tradition of honoring servant leaders with its Community Griot Awards. Scholarships totaling $5,000 will also be awarded to high school graduates and college students.

More than anything, Robbins hopes attendees walk away with a sense of purpose. “When we take care of Black people, we take care of everyone,” she said. “This is about joy, yes, but it’s also about justice and creating the future we deserve.”

Registration isn’t required. For more information about the ANIKA Foundation, visit www.theanikafoundation.org.

Jasmine McBride welcomes reader responses at jmcbride@spokesman-recorder.com.