Photo: Courtesy of Durag Festival
Charlotte celebrates Black culture throughout the year, but especially during the month of June.
Why it matters: Nationwide, communities recognize June 19 as the day enslaved African Americans gained freedom in the U.S.
- In 2021, President Biden signed legislation officially recognizing that date, which is referred to as Juneteenth, as a federal holiday.
Here are 20 Juneteenth events to check out this month. You can also celebrate the culture all year long by supporting a local Black-owned business.
Editor’s note: Serving the Culture’s event on June 24 is a recent addition to this list.
Meditate at the Pauline Tea Bar Apothecary
Details: Calm your mind with herbal tea and a variety of events throughout the year to help you unplug and reset your spirit.
Upcoming events:
- Meditation for busy minds on June 15 and June 22.
- Restorative yoga on June 24.
- Journaling and tea on June 17.
Cost: Prices for events typically range from $10-$15.
Photo: Alexis Clinton/Axios
Juneteenth Festival of the Carolinas in Plaza Midwood.
Details: Reflect on the roots of the historical holiday with unity march, live music, discussions, activities for kids alive entertainment from June 15-18.
Upcoming events:
- Youth Culture Camp on June 15.
- Drum Circle on June 16.
- Gospel Fest on June 18.
Cost: Free
View African artwork at Real African Art Gallery
Details: The art gallery host weekly “Sip & See” events every Friday. They include two glasses of wine and live music. The events also feature a collection of sculptures, paintings, jewelry, masks and other wooden carvings from African countries.
Upcoming dates: June 16 and June 30.
Cost: $10
Eat from a Black-owned food truck at West Complex
Details: Taste a variety of dishes from select food trucks, shop from retail vendors, and enjoy music from a live DJ all summer long, every third Friday of the month.
Upcoming dates: June 16, July 21, August 18 and September 15.
Cost: Free
Queen City Juneteenth Parade at Central Piedmont Community College.
Details: Celebrate the holiday with a parade consisting of Black professionals. The event will also include activities, food and a band performance on Saturday, June 17, at 10am.
Cost: Free
Juneteenth LIFESTIVAL at Fran’s Kids Boys and Girls Center
Details: Enjoy face painting, horseback rides, bounce houses, arts and crafts, music, games plus local food and business vendors. The event will be held June 17 from 12-4pm.
Cost: Free
Listen to live Jazz music at Ivy Hall Foundation
Details: Bring your blankets and chairs to enjoy jazz sounds on the lawn on June 17. There will also be food trucks and local vendors that day from 2-7pm.
Cost: $40
Celebrate Black Liberation and Unity at West Charlotte High School
Details: Expect children’s activities, dance performances, live music, health screenings plus voter registration and education on June 17 from 2-6pm.
Cost: Free
Annual Juneteenth Cookout at Victoria Yards
Details: A family-oriented celebration of Black culture with feature story time, panel discussion, live DJ, food and a spades tournament.
- The two-day event will be held from June 17-18.
Cost: Free
Photo: Alexis Clinton/ Axios
Experience LGBTQIA+ ballroom culture at The Gantt Center
Details: Celebrate Black culture and pride month with a full day of activities, including workshops, panel discussions, drag brunch, installations, a fashion show and a kiki ball hosted by DUPP&SWAT on June 17.
Cost: General admission is free. Tickets for the Drag brunch are $35 and the fashion show is $60.
Go deeper: 15 drag shows in Charlotte this June
Photo: Courtesy of Carla Aaron-Lopez
Cultural Music Fest at Route 29 Pavillion
Details: Listen to lineup of musicians including Doug E Fresh, Adina Howard, DJ Fatman Scoop, Carl Thomas, Chubb Rock and Sunshine Anderson. There will also be vendors, food trucks, beer, wine and alcohol on June 18 from 11am-8pm.
Cost: Tickets start at $37.50.
Durag Festival at Camp North End
Details: A week-long series of events celebrating Black art, fashion, food, music, tech and the community from June 18-24.
Upcoming events:
- R&B Rooftop Day party at Skyline Terrace on June 18.
- Brunch at Skyline Terrace on June 19.
- Durag Fest at Mad Miles on June 20.
- Durag Labs at The Gantt Center on June 21.
- Goofy Movie screening on June 22.
- Uptown Football Club tournament on June 24.
Cost: Some events are free but tickets for the festival range from $40-$115.
Go deeper: The unapologetically Black Durag Festival is back
Photos: Courtesy of Durag Festival
Embrace Black culture at Archive.
Details: This coffee shop is a display of Black history and culture through its preservation of books and Ebony magazines, art, music and vibe. For Juneteenth, they will host events starting Monday, June 19, with a full day of giveaways, movie night, educational discussions and a tribute to Wu-Tang.
Upcoming events:
- Watch a movie screening of Daughters of The Dust Wednesday, June 21, from 7:30-10pm.
- Discussion with Davidson College professor Randi Gill-Sandler on Thursday, June 22, from 7-8:30pm.
- They also host a Vinyl spinning event on the last Sunday of every month.
Go deeper: Archive, a coffee shop celebrating Black culture, now open in west Charlotte
Photo: Alexis Clinton/Axios
Shop at Buy-Black Fest
Details: Purchase items from an array of retail and food vendors while you enjoy music from a from a live DJ on Monday, June 19, from 2-9pm.
Cost: Free.
Educate family and friends at the Gantt Center
Details: Gain a wealth of knowledge from exhibitions, conversations and hands-on art as you explore the Black history museum.
Cost: Free on Monday, June 19, from 12-6pm.
Photo: Ashley Mahoney
Connect with Black women through BlkPrnt CLT
Details: Make new friends at one of BlkPrnt’s monthly events designed to create a safe space for Black women to meet, converse and hopefully develop newfound connections.
Upcoming date: Skate meet up on June 22 at 7pm.
Go deeper: Social Group BlkPrnt CLT aims to bring Black women in Charlotte closer together
Photo: Courtesy of Black Prnt
Take an African dance classes at NC Dance District
Details: Learn traditional African dance movements from Imania Detry plus rent drums for a Dun Dance and Drum class on June 23-24, 2023.
Cost: $18
Photo: Alexis Clinton/Axios
Get active with Mad Miles Run Club
Details: Walk, run or jog a two- or four-mile route every week before celebrating a completed work out with music from a live DJ, dancing and shopping from local small businesses.
- Meet-ups are every Monday at Social Status, Tuesdays in Camp North End and every Saturday in Elizabeth Park.
Cost: Free
Go deeper: I hate running but I’ll exercise with Mad Miles Run Club
Mad Miles Run Club on Tuesday at Camp North End. Photo: Alexis Clinton/Axios
Honor Black excellence with Charlotte FC
Details: Charlotte Football club will hold a panel discussion so Black community leaders can share their personal experience about how they achieved success in the Carolinas. A special edition of jersey numbers will also be worn by Charlotte FC in their match the week of Juneteenth to celebrate the Black culture and community of the Carolinas.
- Pre-Match Panel Discussion at Fahrenheit Rooftop on Saturday, June 24, from 3-4:30pm.
Cost: $100 ticket includes entry to the discussion, food and ticket to the game.
Hip-hop inspired brunch at Lenny Boy Brewing Co.
Details: Serving the Culture’s quarterly dinner series pays homage to hip-hop artists with themed dinner items and cocktails. Their upcoming event will be a “GET CRUNK” themed brunch with eight courses, various cocktails, giveaways, art and a live DJ.
Cost: $150
Go deeper: Popular dinner series pays homage to hip-hop and culture in Charlotte
Photo: Alexis Clinton/Axios
