If you’ve ever traveled to a city and wondered, “Where do Black folks go?” then look no further than here for the answers to that question here in Nashville from me, The Hood Historian, Brigette Jones. Through a historic lens, I view this article as reminiscent of the historic Green Book, which allowed Black travelers to know where they would be welcomed in the midst of Jim Crow rule. And, even though Black Americans are no longer under the thumb of segregation, highlighting and supporting our own, should always be at the forefront of our activism. With this said, let’s get into this month’s hood history highlights, but this time, let’s make it Juneteenth!
For those that don’t know, Juneteenth is celebrated every year on June 19th to commemorate the day that General Gordon Granger and his men arrived in Galveston, Texas to inform the last of the formerly enslaved in Texas that they were finally free. The gag is; however, this notice didn’t come until two years after the Emancipation Proclamation had actually freed them in 1863 (bombastic side eye). Nonetheless, we honor this day and recognize the resilience of our ancestors across the country, and in Nashville specifically, we do it big!
Now, if you’re anything like me and enjoy a good old-fashioned backyard event, then look no further than these five that I know will have the ‘tunes blasting and catfish frying!
Festivals and Block Parties
1. Black on Buchanan hosted by The Equity Alliance; Saturday, June 17, 2023, from 12:00 PM-7:00 PM.
2. Music City Freedom Festival at Hadley Park; Sat, June 17, 2023, at 12:00 PM and Sunday, Jun 18, 2023, at 10:30 AM
3. Juneteenth on the Lawn; Saturday, June 17, 2023, from 3:00 PM-10:00 PM.
4. Bridge to Broadway: NMAAM 3rd Annual Block Party; Sunday, June 18, 2023, from 12:00 PM-8:00 PM.
5.JUNETEENTH615 Freedom Fireworks (at) Fort Negley Park; Monday, June 19, 2023, from 5:00 PM-10:00 PM.
Now, if you want to be a bit more upscale and relax in the ambiance of the “talented tenth”, then the following events are the spaces for you.
Galas, Exhibits, and Upscale Nightlife
1. Frist After Five (at) Frist Art Museum; Thursday, June 15, 2023, from 6:30 PM-7:30 PM.
2.Caviar and Collard Greens; Friday, June 16, 2023, at 9:00 PM-1:00 AM.
3.The Legacy Ball, Presented by R.H. Boyd, Saturday, June 17, 2023, from 6:00 PM-7:00 PM.
4.A Celebration of Freedom: Nashville African American wind symphony’s Annual Juneteenth Performance; Monday, June 19, 2023, from 4:00 PM-5:00 PM.
Lastly, if hunger begins to hit you, check out Juneteenth Restaurant Week and take in some of Nashville’s finest Black-owned restaurants and eateries by clicking the link below!
In conclusion, it doesn’t matter where you end up as long as you show your face somewhere and celebrate 158 years of physical Black liberation (because y’all know even though we’ve come far, we still have a long way to go)!
Enjoy your guide and our spin on the historic “green book”! Tag us at #urbaanite when you try one out. Also, look out for more stories from The Hood Historian as she makes her way around Nashville.
Hit us up at hello@urbaanite.com if you want to share your experience good or not so great. We always want to make sure we are sending our readers to a welcoming environment.
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