© 2025 Michigan State University Board of Trustees
Public Media from Michigan State University
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Lansing's Juneteenth celebration remembers emancipation

Flickr

 Today, Lansing kicks off the opening events of the 20th annual Juneteenth celebration, which is a three-day festival celebrating the emancipation of African-Americans from slavery. The holiday has been officially recognized in the state since 2005 when Gov. Jennifer Granholm declared the third Saturday in June to be "Juneteenth National Freedom Day."

Cheryl Benjamin, board member of the Lansing Juneteenth Committee, joins Current State to explain the holiday's origins and what the next three days have to offer.

Related Content
Every WKAR News story you read is rooted in fact-based, local journalism, produced without commercial influence and available for free to everyone in mid-Michigan. No paywalls. Ever.

But this work doesn’t fund itself. With significant cuts to federal funding, public media is facing a critical moment. If you believe in journalism that serves the public interest, now is the time to act. Donate today.