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Together We Rise: A Community Celebration of Juneteenth

This year’s Juneteenth celebration, held in collaboration with the cities of Medford and Somerville, will offer a space to learn about the historical struggle for liberation and unification of people who identify as coming from the African diaspora. This community celebration will feature local artists, vendors, and educators as we seek to recognize the resilience of the Black community through a range of mediums. Join us to reflect, rejoice, and shine a light on the importance of unity during this time.

This year's event is open to all Tufts community members, their families, and residents of Somerville and Medford.

DATE & TIME: Wednesday, June 18, 2025 | Doors Open: 8:15 a.m. | Breakfast Served: 8:30 a.m. | Program: 9:00 a.m.—11:30 a.m.

LOCATION: Joyce Cummings Center | 177 College Avenue, Medford 02155

PARKING: Free event parking is available to ALL Medford and Somerville community members, external vendors, speakers and facilitators (non-Tufts) at the Cousens Parking Lot located at 166 College Avenue, Medford, across the street from the Joyce Cummings Center.

Event Program

8:15 Doors Open 

*Resource vendors will be available to all guest in the Atrium across from the Registration area*

8:30–9:00 Breakfast (live music, by Joel LaRue Smith and Josiah Reibstein)

— Livestream begins —

9:00–9:05 Event Welcome - Alaina Macaulay, Assistant Vice Provost for Inclusive Excellence and Leadership

9:05–9:10 Opening remarks - President Sunil Kumar

9:10–9:15 Musical Selection “Lift Every Voice and Sing” - vocalist, Kay Patterson

9:15–9:20 Juneteenth video - Juneteenth: What You Need to Know, Courtesy of the History Channel

9:20–9:25 Introduction of keynote speaker

9:25–9:50 Keynote - Kyera Singleton, Executive Director of the Royall House and Slave Quarters

10:00–11:00 Breakout sessions

11:10 - 11:30 Closing: Where do we go from here? - Alaina Macaulay, Assistant Vice Provost for Inclusive Excellence and Leadership

Event Co-Sponsors

City of Medford
City of Medford DEI logo

City of Somerville
City of Somerville RSJ

About Juneteenth

Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day and Emancipation Day, is a significant African American holiday commemorating the emancipation of slavery in the United States. On June 19, 1865, two and a half years after the enactment of the Emancipation Proclamation, Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced the end of slavery and that enslaved Black people there were finally free. Juneteenth has been celebrated annually by the African American community since that day.

Today, Juneteenth is celebrated in various ways across the nation. Communities come together to honor African American culture, heritage, and achievements. Festivities include parades, barbecues, concerts, family gatherings, educational programs, and art exhibitions. Juneteenth serves as a time for reflection on the struggles and resilience of African Americans throughout history and an opportunity to celebrate and uplift their contributions.

Tufts University began observing Juneteenth in 2020, with the intention of providing the university community an opportunity to pause, reflect, and contextualize the purpose and legacy of this holiday within the ongoing struggle for Black liberation. Juneteenth serves as a reminder of the need to educate ourselves, foster inclusivity, and work towards a more equitable and just society.

On June 17, 2021, President Biden signed the “Juneteenth National Independence Day Act” into law, designating Juneteenth as a federally recognized holiday. This significant milestone further solidifies the holiday's rightful place in American history and underscores the importance of understanding and celebrating its significance.

You can honor Juneteenth by learning about institutional racism, supporting the Black community, and collectively seeking pathways forward to challenge oppression. Juneteenth serves as a powerful reminder of the progress made and the work that still needs to be done to achieve true freedom, equality, and justice for all. By embracing Juneteenth and its historical context, Tufts University aims to foster a community that actively confronts the challenges of the past, recognizes the contributions of the Black community, and works towards a more inclusive and equitable future.

Leaders and Members of the Black Community at Tufts University Throughout the Years