The MTSU campus community is invited to participate in the city of Murfreesboro’s Juneteenth celebration in recognition of the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States.

According to a city news release, this year’s celebration has expanded to three days featuring a June 17 Authors Night, June 18 Youth Night, and the traditional Juneteenth celebration on June 19. 

All three events will take place at Bradley Academy Museum and Cultural Center at 415 S. Academy St. and are free to attend.

Local aspiring African American authors will discuss their literary works and sign books from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 17. Authors participating include Latishia Dowdy, Kendra L, Katerra Locke, Mary Watkins, Darryl Webb, Antonia Royal Whitmore and Denise Wilson.

Local artists will have their work on display and for sale at the Murfreesboro Juneteenth Celebration set for Saturday, June 19, at Bradley Museum and Cultural Center on South Academy Street. (File photo courtesy of Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation)

Youth Night will be held from 4 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 18. The event will highlight the creative minds of local youth, showcasing poets, artists and musicians. Youth Night is designed for the youth to remember the past, celebrate the present and look forward to the future.

The community is invited to celebrate Juneteenth, or “Freedom Day,” from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 19. Activities include a kids’ zone, food vendors, artists, and live music and dancing.

Vonchelle Stembridge

“We are elated to have the annual festival in person this year,” said Vonchelle Stembridge, facility coordinator at Bradley Academy Museum and Cultural Center, in the city news release. 

“We are excited to create a learning experience to the community to share the importance of this holiday. I am honored to be able to host this event and even more proud of my community coming together to share with Rutherford County and neighboring communities. We look forward to our community coming out to celebrate Juneteenth.”

Bradley Academy was built in 1806 as the first school for education of white males only. In 1884, African American students, males and females, were allowed to attend school. The current structure was built in 1917 and opened as the new school for African American students in 1918. Today, Bradley Academy Museum and Cultural Center is managed by Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation Department.

For more information about Juneteenth and Bradley Academy, visit murfreesborotn.gov, or contact Stembridge at 615-962-8773, or vstembridge@murfreesborotn.gov.