Juneteenth Weeklong Celebration of Freedom

The George Washington Carver Museum, Cultural and Genealogy Center, will host the fourth annual Stay Black and Live (SB&L) Juneteenth Festival from June 12 through 19, 2023. This year’s theme is Austin Family Reunion and will center local collaborations and partnerships with organizations and individuals making an impact.

In response to the ongoing global health crisis and heightened awareness of the endemic violence experienced by BIPOC communities, SB&L was launched in 2020. What started as a live stream has now become a fixture of Austin’s citywide Juneteenth celebrations.

From community kickbacks, dance parties, cookouts and live music to dynamic conversations with thought leaders, educators and public scholars, this year’s festival will be truly memorable. For more information and for a full list of programming visit juneteenthatx.com.

Monday, June 12

Kicking off the week is a conversation with Pamela Dawson, a Grammy-Award-winning high school music teacher in Desoto, Texas.

Thursday, June 15

From 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., culinary food historian James Beard, Book Award recipient and author of The Cooking Gene: A Journey Through African-American History in the Old South, Michael W. Twitty, will present a lecture on African-American foodways and contemporary abolitionist movements.

Friday, June 16

From 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., a multi-generational community kickback and dance party featuring a sensory station powered by Creative Action will give away glow sticks, kites, bubble guns and sparklers to attendees under a neon tent. High-energy sets by DJ Cysum and DJ Dontizl will keep the vibes high before closing out with a special edition of BodyRockATX.

Saturday, June 17

From 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., a community cookout and music festival will take place in the historic Rosewood Neighborhood behind the Carver Museum. Starting at 3 p.m., Lady Joy will host mid-day festivities while KAZI DJs set the vibe and attendees eat smoked BBQ prepared by veteran pitmasters. Festival attendees can also check out the vendor market, carnival games, educational workshops, film screenings and self-guided tours.

At 6 p.m., host Saul Paul will kick off the music festival with opening performances by Distinguished Soundz, Stretch Musik, and DJ Kay Kali. At 8 p.m., the funky, rocking, dancing, soulful mega band GAPX brought to life by original members of the legendary group “The Gap Band” will serenade Juneteenth festival goers for 90-minutes with chart-topping hits like Outstanding and You Dropped a Bomb on Me. 

Monday, June 19

From 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., historian, legal scholar, New York Times Bestseller, and Pulitzer Prize-Winning Author Dr. Annettee Gordon-Reed will speak about her book, On Juneteenth.

In partnership with Austin Justice Coalition, a Community Revival and Remembrance will take place to honor victims of police violence in Texas. Indigenous earth-based practitioners, faith leaders, healers and body workers will gather to help elevate the spirit of our fallen sisters, brothers and non-binary community members. From 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., join us in song, prayer and meditation as we honor our Black ancestors and gather our strength to continue doing the work to liberate our communities.