Carlean Gill
2024
“Empowering Minds, Embracing Freedom & Education.”
Saginaw Juneteenth Celebration Inc. is passionate
about celebrating African American history,
culture, and community. To appropriately acknowledge
a time in our history that has helped shape our nation and is
still impacting our society today, we must all deepen
our connections, take steps to bring about
long-lasting change and involve individuals from
all races, nations, and religions.
WE STAND ON YOUR SHOULDERS
The observance of Juneteenth is about the journey and achievement of African Americans
– from a horrific period of sanctioned enslavement to the pinnacle of human endeavors.
It is a story of pride, resilience, and determination that will always be of historical and spiritual importance
– as it serves us well to understand that together, we can overcome all obstacles in our path.
As we know it, June 19th, 1865, was the day word reached the enslaved in Galveston, Texas
that their emancipation had been made formal, though it had been so since January 1, 1863.
In that transformative moment, our nation, and the world itself changed.
And, with bold and often contentious decisions, we have continued to change
– striving always to make it right, to make it better for all.
A
What Is Juneteenth?
Sharing the Historical Significance of Juneteenth
Understanding the rich historical background of Juneteenth and acknowledging the ongoing efforts to understand it as a National holiday is crucial. It presents a chance to commemorate our nation's second Independence Day and contemplate our interconnected past and future.
Juneteenth traces back to June 1865. Despite President Abraham Lincoln signing the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 and the Confederate surrendering to the Union in April 1865, enslaved individuals in Texas - the westernmost Confederate state - were not granted their freedom until June 19, 1865. On that day, Union General Gordon Granger, accompanied by around 2,000 Union troops, including many Black soldiers, arrived in Galveston Bay. They proclaimed that over 250,000 enslaved Black individuals in the state were now free by presidential order. This momentous occasion became known as "Juneteenth," a blend of "June" and "Nineteenth."
Who We Are
Saginaw Juneteenth Celebration Inc is a nonprofit organization in Saginaw, Michigan, committed to celebrating Juneteenth (short for "June Nineteenth"). Juneteenth is a historic and significant event in our nation's history that became a National Holiday on June 17th, 2021, which is the same year our president and founder, Renee Hawkins Morris, felt inspired to create the organization. Juneteenth marks the day in 1865 when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to take control of the state and ensure all enslaved people were freed, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed.
Bob Johnson
Cassandra Garrett Hicks
Kareem Bowen
Tracy Floyd
Kisha Smith
Rose Davis
Gregory Price
Mary E. Jackson
Jessica Patman
Christian Garrett
COSBE Inc. Board of Directors
Renee Hawkins - Morris
President
Carl Williams
Jerome Buckley
Valarie Woods
Advisory Board
Latrina Howell
Executive Vice President
Linda Burks Jackson
Vice President
Renee Hawkins-Morris
& Linda Burks Jackson
"Juneteenth is a celebration for us all."
What We Do
Sharing the Juneteenth Story
We have been an esteemed resource on Juneteenth culture and history for three years. We aim to create a unified collaboration with the city of Saginaw, the State of Michigan, and other organizations and companies. In addition to celebrating African American freedom, Juneteenth strongly emphasizes the value of education, our accomplishments, financial literacy, self-improvement, and the importance of long-term planning.
Engaging the Community
We promote Juneteenth's history, culture, and heritage in various activities, including the Miss Juneteenth Pageant, Juneteenth Freedom Parade, Celebration Festival, and a 3on3 Youth Basketball tournament - and we plan to keep growing!
2024 Juneteenth Honoree
& Grand Marshal
“I believe that education is one of the
great equalizers in life. At SVSU,
we are committed to opening doors and
creating opportunities that empower people
to see their potential and be liberated
and equipped to pursue
their dreams.”
Dr. George Grant Jr
SVSU President
George Grant Jr. was appointed to serve as the fifth president of Saginaw Valley State University on January 1, 2023.
Dr. Grant previously served as chancellor of Pennsylvania State University-Berks. Before that, he spent 24 years at Grand Valley State University in Michigan, including 12 years as dean of the College of Community and Public Service.
President Grant studied at Wayne County Community College before completing a bachelor’s degree in social work at Marygrove College in Detroit. He later completed a master’s degree in social work at Grand Valley State University and a Ph.D. in sociology at Western Michigan University. President Grant also earned a certificate from the Harvard Institute in Educational Management.
Before serving in higher education, he worked and was in administration in the child welfare system. He provided training, research, workshops, and private practice therapy and co-authored 12 books.
2024 Saginaw Juneteenth Events
June
2
ANNUAL NAACP JUNETEENTH
Meeting and Program
Greater Williams Temple COGIC
608 E Remington St Saginaw MI
2 PM - 6 PM
June
6
6th annual Heart of the city community awards banquet
Horizon Conference Center
CASTLE MUSEUM
LULA BRIGG'S GALLOWAY EXHIBIT
Saginaw, Michigan Juneteenth Pioneer
June
12
Juneteenth Freedom Parade
June
14
SAGINAW Juneteenth Ball
Horizons Conference Center
6 PM - 8 PM
Event Tickets (Dinner Incl.) - $50
18 and under -$35
June
15
Freedom Parade
Route: Starts at Saginaw Zoo, travels along Washington Avenue, and ends at the Old Farmers Market at Thompson Street
11 AM-NOON
Participant Entry -$35 (Line begins at 9 AM)
Free to the Public
Freedom Festival
Morley Plaza (Downtown Saginaw)
Food and Entertainment
NOON - 4 PM
$100 -Food Vendor Booths, $50
Other Vendor.
Free to the Public
June
19
BLACK Male SUMMIT LEGACY COOKOUT
Morley Plaza (Downtown Saginaw)
Food and Entertainment & Fireworks 6 PM
Free to the Public
Juneteenth Freedom ParADE
Juneteenth Freedom ParADE
Juneteenth Freedom ParADE
Saturday, June 15th, 2024
10AM ~ 11:30AM
Grand Marshal:
Dr. George Grant Jr
Parade Route:
The parade starts at the Hoyt Park and travels down Washington Avenue, disbanding at the Old Farmers Market (507 S Washington Ave) intersection of Thompson/Water.
(Participant Check-in/ Lineup begins at 8:30 AM!)
Enter Today!
Happy Juneteenth!
Congratulations to the 2023
Miss Juneteenth
Scholarship Pageant Winners!
Miss Juneteenth
Shayla Bond
Miss Teen Juneteenth
Kimmora Kinard
Little Miss Juneteenth
Lauryn Newton
Juneteenth
Festival
Saginaw Morley Plaza
Saturday, June 15th, 2024 12pm ~5pm
Festival Schedule oF Events
12:00 PM • Festival Sounds • DJ
1:00 PM • WElcome/Juneteenth History •
Pastor Kareem Bowen
1:15 pm • Community Spotlight •
1:30 pm • Hustle Time •
2:30 pm • Juneteenth Jubilee Performance
3:00 PM • presentations •
throughout the Park
• COSBE INC & Pride 21 3/3 Futrue Ballers Basketball Tournament • Starts at Noon
• Helmet Giveaway• Malcolm Fields Nuerology Foundation • Starts at Noon
Kid Zone Activities
• 50/50 Raffle • 12-4 pm
Fun * Food * Community Unity * Music.* Free Event
Saginaw Juneteenth Celebration inc.
Contact Us
admin@cosbe.network
989.906.3259
CMURC huh
203 S. Washinton Suite #260
Saginaw, MI, 48607
facebook.com/SaginawJunteenthCelebration