This year marks the second anniversary of the Juneteenth holiday in the United States.

Juneteenth commemorates the June 19, 1865 proclamation of freedom for the enslaved people in Texas, the last state of the Confederacy with slavery. While Juneteenth is considered the "longest-running African-American holiday” and has been called "America's second Independence Day,” it wasn’t recognized as a federal holiday until 2021.

At Pine Street Inn we are committed to being a home for all. Thank you to those who lift this country up and continue to fight for equality. We encourage you to visit the Black-owned businesses found in the links below and/or take part in Juneteenth events happening throughout the coming days.

Black-Owned Businesses to Support!

- Black-Owned Boston 
- Boston Black Restaurants 
- Black Boston
- The City of Boston
- Boston.com
- Black-Owned Farms in Massachusetts:
    - Urban Farming Institute (Mattapan, MA)
    - Agric Organics (Wilbraham, MA)

Juneteenth Reading Lists

- Harvard Book Store
- The Boston Review
- New York Magazine/Vulture
- More than Words: Anti-Racist Reading
- Black Owned Book Store in Boston
    - Frugal Books, Roxbury

Juneteenth Events 2023

• Ongoing – Reflecting Attucks: This virtual exhibit examines the memory of Crispus Attucks, a man of African & Native descent who was the first to die in the Boston Massacre that sparked the American Revolution. Learn more & get tickets.
• Ongoing – Walk the Black Heritage Trail: Take a walking tour of the largest collection of historic sites in the country relating to the life of a free African American community prior to the Civil War. Self-guided and Ranger-guided tours are available. Learn more & register.
• Ongoing – Visit the Museum of African American History: Exhibits, programs, and educational activities at the Museum showcase the powerful stories of Black families who worshipped, educated their children, debated the issues of the day, organized politically and advanced the cause of freedom. Learn more.
• June 14 – 16 – Embrace Ideas Festival 2022: The festival features three days of embracing music, art, culture, ideas, joy, and community that culminates in a Juneteenth block party. Learn more & get tickets.
• June 17 — Juneteenth Liberation Farmcert: This farm concert commemorates Juneteenth – a day to honor and acknowledge Black heritage and celebrate our liberation from transatlantic slavery. Reserve your spot.
• June 17 — Boston Public Market Junteenth Paint Nite: We create space for minds to relax, unwind, and enjoy their artistic endeavors. We aim to provide a safe and comfortable environment for people to explore their art. Register here.
• June 17 — The Glorious Struggle for Liberty: Guided Tour: Join a National Park Ranger on a walk to historic Long Wharf, and explore how Boston Harbor played a central role in the stories of enslavement and freedom seekers. Reserve your spot.
• June 17 — Boston Landmarks Orchestra—A Juneteenth Celebration: To start our summer season, Landmarks Orchestra celebrates Juneteenth at our debut performance in the Kroc Center! Learn more.
• June 17 — 2023 Juneteenth Joy Celebration: The second annual community-wide Juneteenth Celebration. Learn more.
• June 17 — Cambridge Juneteenth Community Cookout and Basketball Tournament: Join Boston Celtics In-Arena host Melisa Valdez and various community organizations for a celebration of community in Cambridge. Food will be served. Get details.
• June 17–18 — Belmont and Watertown Juneteenth Festival: The Watertown Citizens for Black Lives and the Belmont Human Rights Commission have teamed up to provide a weekend of celebration. Click for the schedule.
• June 18 — Boston Lyric Opera's The Wanderer's Tethering: Boston Poet Laureate Porsha Olayiwola teams up with composer Mason Bynes on "The Wanderer’s Tethering," an operetta that explores the complex experiences of people with both African and Black American roots. Get tickets now.
• June 18 — Juneteenth at Longfellow House – Washington’s Headquarters: Gather for Juneteenth to honor those who endured slavery and seized freedom on Brattle Street before the American Revolution, their living descendants, and the long history of Black freedom activism in Cambridge and beyond. Learn more.
• June 18 – Juneteenth Poetry Slam: An Evening of rhythm, rhymes, and reparations. This is a free in-person and online event hosted by DiDi Delgado and Amanda Shea. Learn more.
• June 18 — Juneteenth Block Party in Brookline: Join us for a day of family-friendly fun, featuring music, food, activities, and more in the form of a block party. Learn more.
• June 18 — Black and Gold Juneteenth Celebration at Sunday Escape Seaport: Join Boston's lovers of great Caribbean and African music for a special event as we present our first night event for them. Get tickets.
• June 18 – Juneteenth Celebration at Fenway Park: Red Sox vs. Yankees. Purchase tickets via this special offer and receive a Red Sox jersey in Juneteenth colors. The day includes access to a private pre-game social in The 521 Overlookt. Learn more & get tickets.
• June 19 — 2023 Cambridge Juneteenth Freedom Parade:  Join the Cambridge Families of Color Coalition, Paragon Society, and the City of Cambridge for the 2023 Juneteenth Freedom Parade. Learn more.
• June 19 — "Forever Free" Concert in Celebration of Juneteenth: Celebrating Juneteenth with music by black composers, featuring live music and historic performances. Get tickets.
• June 19 — Boston Juneteenth Parade 2023: Boston Juneteenth Parade in the heart of Roxbury!! Nubian Square to Walnut Ave. Learn more.
• June 19 — 2023 Boston Juneteenth Emancipation Observance: 13th Annual Boston Juneteenth Emancipation Observance "Juneteenth: Honoring Our Martyrs and Heroes." Reserve your spot.
• June 19 — Daunasia's Juneteenth Pride Celebration: Celebrate the remarkable work of Daunasia Yancey, an esteemed Black, queer activist. Get tickets.
• June 19 — Celebrate! with OKRA Dance Company - Africans in America: Celebrate the profound influence of African dance, music, and rhythm on American culture. Reserve your spot.
• June 19 – Juneteenth Open House at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston: Free admission. Family-friendly events include art-making, performances curated by SIDE Presents, and “Touching Roots: Black Ancestral Legacies in the Americas.” Learn more & see the schedule.
• June 20 — Boston Public Library's Author Talk with Jonathan Eig - King: A Life: Online presentation and conversation between Jonathan Eig -bestselling author of Ali: A Life - and Peniel E. Joseph - Professor and Founding Director of the Center for the Study of Race and Democracy, The University of Texas at Austin. Details here.
• June 20–July 2 – Roxbury International Film Festival: The Roxbury International Film Festival is the largest New England film festival dedicated to celebrating films by, for, and about people of color. This is a hybrid film festival. Learn more & get tickets.
• June 25 – The Nubian Square Foundation Royalty Gala: This Gala hosted by the Nubian Square Foundation celebrates freedom. Part of the Juneteenth Boston series of events. Learn more & get tickets.