Join both Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages and Kroger in commemorating Juneteenth as we come together to celebrate and educate our community about this significant and important event.
Join both Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages and Kroger in commemorating Juneteenth as we come together to celebrate and educate our community about this significant and important event.
Freedom Walk/Run
7:00a - 9:30a
Walk, run, and enjoy an event fueling park programming initiatives that have a positive impact all year round.
Music Celebration
4:00p - 9:00p
A free concert lineup for everyone! Juneteenth Community Gospel Choir, Roi Anderson, and Zydeco from Lil Nathan and the BigTimers!
Community Health Fair
10:00a - 3:00p
Health Screenings, Food & Nutrition Information, a variety of Community Resource Vendors, and much more!
Family Fun Day
10:00a - 2:00p
We end our Juneteenth celebration with fun family activations, a vendor market, food trucks, music and more!
Each of us honors this special date in a different way, and that is why Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages and Kroger associates were given the chance to express what Juneteenth means to them and share their story with the community.
Freedom Celebration. Black Girl Magic. Black Boy Joy. 365 Black and Proud.
Kimika T.
Katy, Texas
Juneteenth is an acknowledgment of our past, a celebration of our present and hopeful glimpse into our future. Juneteenth at its core goes far beyond physically freeing the slaves. It was the hope of realizing a life that lived in their dreams. Juneteenth is a reminder that there is work still to be done as it relates equity and equality.
Marla F.
Houston, Tx
Juneteenth is the feeling of truth and freedom. A day that reminds me of rejoice we aren't free until we are all free!
Ashlynn I.
Conroe, TX
Juneteenth is a day to reflect on the struggles and triumphs of African Americans throughout history. It is a time to celebrate freedom, unity, and African American culture. The holiday is marked with various events such as parades, cookouts, music, and community gatherings. For many in the Black community, Juneteenth is a day of remembrance, reflection, and celebration of freedom, while also serving as a reminder of the ongoing fight for racial equality and justice. It is an important day for acknowledging the past and honoring the resilience and contributions of African Americans to American society.
Branda L.
Humble, Texas
Freedom! I am from Texas and loving the fact I am minutes away from the birthplace that started it
Lytonia B.
Houston Tx
Juneteenth mean to me is a day for all Black American to feel accepted and free in this country. It a day where we were finally acknowledged as natural born Americans citizen and not a foreigner in this country. We still have progress in the making, but it will get better as time go on. Just be proud of your race and culture and never forget about what your ancestor went through.
Danatte C.
Houston, Tx
Juneteenth is represented as the day slaves were made free just like all of us. It is celebrating being free to enjoy life, love, and liberty as written in our constitution.
Ali W.
Sulphur, Louisiana
It means freedom for me and my people. It is like having a huge family reunion across the world. It is our day of independence. Our day of freedom.
Jonilyn B.
Spring, TX
Officially its the end of slavery in Texas, what it means today and now is a time for friends and family to get together in most cases a backyard barbecue for fellowship and memories. While we don’t forget the past, we celebrate the present and things to come.
Kevin F.
Texas City, Texas
A reflection on what my ancestors had to endure but also to rejoice on how far we have come and my impact on the future!
LaDatrion H.
Houston Texas
To me, Juneteenth represents the progress made in the fight for racial justice in this country, and the very long way we still have to go to achieve it.
Alex C.
Houston, TX
A really important American holiday commemorating the end of a very painful period in our history, slavery. It's also a reminder of how far we've come as a country and how much more we need to grow to fulfill America's promise to all its citizens.
Stan D.
Lake Jackson/Clute, Texas
When I studied Texas History, I was taught that June 19, 1865 was that that 2,000 Union troops landed in Galveston and announced that Texas slaves had been freed by a federal decree. Juneteenth is a day that I feel should be celebrated because not only were that last slaves in the Confederacy freed that day, the long, and currently continuing, journey to racial equality and tolerance began that day.
Sharon B.
Bryan, Texas
As a Black American, Juneteenth is a second Independence Day that marks the end of slavery in Texas. Juneteenth means freedom from bondage to enslaved people as declared under the terms of the 1862 Emancipation Proclamation.
Precious O.
Houston Texas
The thought that comes to mind for me is celebrating the power of collaboration. Our strength together cannot be understated. When we bring together our combined talents, efforts, and love, we have broken barriers, enlightened minds, and created moments that can last for generations.
D. Smith
Juneteenth represents freedom for our community. A freedom that we could've never dreamt we would see, given the obstacles against us. Juneteenth represents hope for the future, not only for our community, but for everyone. Juneteenth represents dreams for our youth, showing with hard work and dedication, their dreams can come true.
J. Green
Juneteenth is a celebration and reminder of our resoluteness against oppression, yesterday and today. Freedom for ALL!
J. Horton
Juneteenth acknowledges history, sacrifice, and trauma, but also honors the courage, love, beauty, and resilient strength of an entire community, striving to push forward!
M. Burgess
We should rejoice and celebrate the freedom of all black people and never allow anyone to take us back to that state again. We no longer have to hide to do things we can take charge of our own destiny.
S. Mouton
I was recently reminded that I am the first generation in my family born post Jim Crow. The significance of this fact is hilighted as I reflect on Juneteenth and the sacrifices my ancestors endured for future generation. I was born WITH the right to vote. I drink from the fountain. I sit at the counter. I serve on the jury. I swim in the pool. I walk through the front door. PawPaw and Madea couldn't. I can and I do--for them.
Veronica J.
As part of Kroger’s commitment to creating communities free of hunger and waste through our Zero Hunger | Zero Waste social and environmental plan, The Kroger Co. Foundation and Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages awarded Texas Southern University $40,000. These funds were used to partner with the school to transform its current on-campus barbershop into an on-campus food pantry. This greatly benefits the students who need access to food resources to help them remain focused on their studies. This is in addition to the funds donated to TSU during the 2023 Juneteenth festivities that were intended to create programs that focus on sustainability and food insecurity projects on campus.
Through this partnership, our goal is to help alleviate the financial burden faced by many students and create a supportive environment that promotes well-being and academic success. Check out this highlight from KHOU on the Tiger Market Food Pantry.
Kroger is a proud sponsor of one of UNCF’s (United Negro College Fund) Institute for Capacity Building (ICB) 2023-2024 Faculty Research Mini-Grants. This mini-grant opportunity was presented at the UNCF UNITE 2023 conference, marking a significant step towards fostering faculty research, professional development and strategic partnerships.
The Faculty Research Mini-Grant program aims to encourage and promote diverse projects at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), ranging from disciplinary-based research to scholarly publications and exhibitions.
Dr. Lesley Joseph from Benedict College is the recipient of the Kroger sponsored mini-grant. This grant centers around Kroger’s Zero Hunger, Zero Waste program, emphasizing system change and innovation to address food scarcity. Dr. Joseph’s work is expected to highlight metrics surrounding food insecurity and provide sustainable models to address this issue in the HBCU ecosystem in South Carolina through innovative research.
“As the recipient of the Kroger/UNCF mini-grant, I am excited to have an opportunity to confront the issue of food insecurity at our HBCUs throughout South Carolina,” said Joseph. “Food insecurity disproportionately affects college students throughout the United States, and the issue is magnified on HBCU campuses. This investment by Kroger/UNCF will support research and capacity building efforts to investigate its root causes and propose interventions. I am honored to be selected for this effort.”
Learn More About UNCFHere you can find a schedule of all the activities happening in Houston’s Emancipation Park leading up the 151st Juneteenth celebration.
Freedom Walk/Run
Your participation makes a meaningful impact on your health and a positive impact on the community. Proceeds from the event go towards fueling park programming initiatives that have a positive impact all year round. From our quarterly “Fitness Fun Day” events to our weekly Hip-Hop aerobics, and Line dancing classes – your steps help us keep the community moving forward in a positive direction. Whether you’re a seasoned runner, a casual walker, or just looking for a reason to enjoy the park, we’ve got you covered. All fitness levels are more than welcome to join in on the fun.
Music Celebration
This year’s concert lineup has a little something for everyone. The concert kicks off at 4pm with the Juneteenth Community Gospel Choir followed by Southern Soul artist Roi Anderson and we will close things out with some Zydeco from Lil Nathan and the BigTimers. As always, it’s going to be a night of, good music, good food, good people and great vibes!
The concert is free, so just come on out! The crowd typically starts to gather at 3:00pm, so grab your family and friends, and come early to secure the best spot. You’ll also have the chance to explore a variety of vendors offering unique crafts, merchandise, and delectable treats from a variety of fantastic food trucks.
Community Health Fair
This year’s Juneteenth Celebration includes a Community Health Fair that will include: Health Screenings, Food & Nutrition Information, a variety of Community Resource Vendors, and much more!
Family Fun Day
This year’s Juneteenth Celebration concludes with a Family Fun Day that will include fun family activations, a vendor market, food trucks, a live DJ, great music, a mobile gaming trailer and so much more!
