mhc_fy25_annual_report - Flipbook - Page 14
Juneteenth
Known as America’s Second Independence Day, MHC has created annual
Juneteenth programming to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States,
honor the enduring spirit, resilience, and perseverance of Black people who
fought for freedom and economic independence, and examine the history and
progress of achieving racial justice and equality in America.
During the past year, MHC commemorated Juneteenth with the following programs:
J U N E T E E N T H J OY
FILM PREMIERE
B R U N C H & C O N V E R S AT I O N
Culinary historian and NYT bestselling author
Dr. Jessica B. Harris led us in dialogue and
celebration of the African diaspora and their
outsized influence on the development
of cuisine in the United States at the
Feeding Our Souls: Essence of Juneteenth Joy
at the Minnesota History Center. After the
conversation, several local African American
chefs treated guests to a wide variety of
expressions of African American cuisine.
The Reconstruction Destructed film premiere
discussed resiliency of African Americans
after slavery, failure of the Courts and
broader society to support reconstruction,
and current efforts to achieve justice and
equality. Insights were shared by noted civil
rights attorney and Equal Justice Initiative
founder Bryan Stevenson and Minnesota
Federal District Court Judge Jerry Blackwell.
Author, renowned attorney, and
Vernon Jordan Professor of Law of Civil
Rights at Howard University School of Law
Sherrilyn Ifill joined us at Quincy Hall for the
2025 Juneteenth Brunch. The discussion
focused on the history and continued
relevancy of the 14th Amendment in today’s
society and the work ahead of us to achieve
racial justice and equality.
MHC continues to plan meaningful, honest, and
accessible programming about this important and
often misunderstood part of our country’s history.
Learn more about our Juneteenth programming
at mnhum.org/juneteenth.
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