4 Ways to Celebrate Juneteenth in Tampa Bay

Crafting a Fun Life blogger Karimah Henry and The Fun Foodie Mama blogger Kiva Williams Creators of Tampa Bay Black Excellence Challenge(Yokie Studios/Tampabaybec.com)

The New Federal Holiday, Juneteenth National Independence Day falls on Sunday, June 19, 2022

Juneteenth, formerly only celebrated in Black American Communities is now a US federal holiday. Juneteenth National Independence Day falls on Sunday, June 19, 2022.

The holiday was signed into law on June 17, 2021, by President Joe Biden to commemorate the end of slavery in the U.S. following the conclusion of the Civil War.

Juneteenth is actually the oldest known commemorative celebration of the ending of United States slavery. On June 19, 1865, Union Soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed in Galveston, Texas with news that the war had ended and the enslaved were now free.

Celebrating Juneteenth is important to me to inspire and uplift my family and my community on what we have come from and where we are going as a culture. I hope we are making our ancestors proud. ~ Kiva Williams @TheFunFoodieMamma @TampaBayBec

Have you thought of how you can honor this day that is finally getting national recognition?

In Tampa Bay, there are many ways to celebrate Juneteenth this year. Here are a few ways you can commemorate this day in history:

1. City of Tampa Flag Raising Ceremony and Festival at Old City Hall

City of Tampa Juneteenth Flag Raising and Ceremony 2022(Tampa Juneteenth Coalition/Instagram)

When: Friday, June 17, 2022, at 10:30 AM

Tampa Bay Juneteenth Coalition (TJC) encourages cultural awareness of our history through education. TJC has had the support of former Mayor Bob Buckhorn and Mayor Jane Castor since June 19, 2018. This year marks the third year Mayor Jane Castor has held a ceremony over the Old City Hall to raise awareness about the day.

The TJC has many other upcoming Juneteenth events planned including a Miss Juneteenth Pageant and a musical stage play. See the event calendar HERE.

2. Join the Tampa Juneteenth Challenge with Tampa Bay BEC

When: The Entire Month of June 2022

Throughout the month of June, Mommy Bloggers, Kiva Williams A.K.A. @thefunfoodiemama and Karimah Henry @craftingafunlife encourage Tampanians to support local Black businesses around the bay.

The duo created the Tampa Bay Black Excellence Challenge commencing the first bingo-like challenge in the month of February 2022 for Black History Month.

The entire month of June is dedicated to the second Tampa Bay BEC challenge for Juneteenth.

Here’s how it works:

1. Download the bingo card here or visit Tampa Bay BEC Instagram, Facebook or Twitter page.
2. Visit Black-owned businesses like restaurants, hair salons, pharmacies, local events, etc.
3. Complete one row....BINGO! Participants must also tag us in their photos on social media and use #tampabaybec. You will be entered into a raffle to win prizes. 

Grab your family or friends and go out and support these local businesses in honor of Juneteenth. We don't want this to be a temporary thing. Show these businesses love all year long. ~ Karimah Henry @CraftingAFunLife @TampaBayBEC

Tampa Bay Black Excellence Challenge Bingo Card(Kiva Williams & Karimah Henry/TampaBayBEC.com

3. R.O.C. The Bloc Tampa Bay Juneteenth Festival at Raymond James Stadium

R.O.C. the Block Juneteenth at Raymond James Stadium(ROC the Block/rocktheblock.com)

When: Saturday, June 18, 2022, from 3 PM to 9 PM

R.O.C. The Block and 95.7 The Beat will be holding their annual cultural festival and celebration this year themed "Emancipated and Empowered: Elevating the Standard of Excellence."

Tickets for Admission can be purchased HERE.

Celebration Itinerary

3:00pm - Libation Open Ceremony

3:10pm - Universal Show Band

3:20pm - Community Workout w Coach Vitta

3:30pm - Virtual Yoga w Agape Yogastry

5:30pm - LOD Step Team - Orlando, FL

5:40pm - Young Kings Step Team - St. Petersburg

6:15pm - Frankie Brown

6:45pm - Pro Material

7:00pm - Fat Boy Juice

7:15pm - J'Nelle

7:30pm - Khalea Lanee

4. Juneteenth Cultural Celebration at the Tampa Museum of Art

Tampa Museum of Art Juneteenth 2022 Celebration(Tampa Bay Museum of Art/Instagram)

When: Sunday, June 19, 2022, from 10 AM to 8 PM

The Tampa Museum of Art commemorates Juneteenth with an engaging, family-friendly experience community to celebrate the holiday with free museum admission, art-making activities, live music and performances, family portraits, amazing food trucks, and more.

Register to attend for free HERE.

Juneteenth Tampa Tradition

These are only some of the popular Juneteenth events being held in Tampa Bay. Many churches, community organizations, and Black families have been celebrating Juneteenth in Tampa Bay for years.

Have you ever celebrated Juneteenth before it became a federal holiday? Will you observe Juneteenth National Independence Day this year?