Members of the Chapel Hill and Carrboro community gathered to celebrate Juneteenth in several ways this weekend, the first time the anniversary of the end of American slavery was recognized as a federal holiday. Several events organized by community groups and the local governments celebrated Black history, culture, activism and freedom.

BIPOC elected officials in Orange County’s local government and school districts read a Juneteenth proclamation on Friday June 18. (Photo via Chapel Hill Community Arts & Culture.)
Community members gathered around the Elizabeth Cotten mural in Carrboro for a educational bike ride, called the Justice Journey Ride, on the morning of Saturday June 19.
Carrboro Mayor Lydia Lavelle waves to the camera while participating in the Justice Journey Ride on Saturday June 19 in downtown Carrboro. (Photo via the Town of Carrboro.)
Vehicles line up to participate in a Juneteenth motorcade at the Hargraves Community Center in Chapel Hill on Saturday June 19. Participants decorated their vehicles and made signs to celebrate the holiday. (Photo via Ava Pukatch/Chapelboro.)
Vehicles line up to participate in a Juneteenth motorcade at the Hargraves Community Center in Chapel Hill on Saturday June 19. Participants decorated their vehicles and made signs to celebrate the holiday. (Photo via Ava Pukatch/Chapelboro.)
A description of the Juneteenth motorcade beginning at the Hargraves Community Center, coordinated through the Chapel Hill Community Arts & Culture department. (Photo via Ava Pukatch/Chapelboro.)
Members of the community who drove through the Hargraves Motorcade. (Photo via Ava Pukatch/Chapelboro.)
UNC Student Body President Lamar Richards with Carrboro Town Council members Damon Seils and Barbara Foushee at the Carrboro Town Commons as part of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro NAACP celebration of Juneteenth on Saturday June 19. (Photo via Damon Seils.)
Carrboro community members gather at Town Commons for speakers and a cookout celebration. (Photo via the Town of Carrboro.)
Various shirts and other Juneteenth clothing on display at Carrboro Town Commons. (Photo via the Town of Carrboro.)
Community members dance in celebration of Juneteenth at Carrboro Town Commons. (Photo via the Town of Carrboro.)
Local musician Sonny Miles performs on West Franklin Street as part of the Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership’s Save the Music Series, which ran a special Juneteenth edition of live performances on Saturday June 19. (Photo via the Chapel Hill Community Arts & Culture Department.)
Local musician A.yoni Jeffries performs in her Tracks in the Stacks set, hosted and aired by the Community Arts & Culture Department as part of a special Juneteenth music series on YouTube. (Photo via the Chapel Hill Community Arts & Culture department.)

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