Event celebrates freedom, empowerment and connections
NEW ORLEANS — Operation Restoration (OR), a New Orleans-based organization founded to support women and girls impacted by incarceration, celebrates Juneteenth with a day of outreach, resources and festivities.
OR’s 4th Annual Juneteenth Community Festival brings the community together to honor the holiday with music, food, a resource fair, diaper distribution, legal assistance and support with voter registration. The free event takes place June 19 at PotBelly NOLA (2908 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard) from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Juneteenth commemorates the announcement on June 19, 1865, in Galveston, TX, informing all enslaved Black people in the state that they were free. This came nearly three years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. Until then, enslaved people in Texas did not know the Civil War had ended or that they were free.
“Juneteenth is not only a time to reflect on our history, but also a reminder that we must continue advocating for our communities and protecting our rights,” says OR Founder, President and CEO Syrita Steib. “Through this festival, we’re bringing people together for celebration, resources and civic engagement while ensuring our community has access to the support and information they need.”
Festival-goers can connect with organizations offering pro bono advice about expungement and other legal issues, HIV and STI testing, notary services and other community resources. In addition, there are hot meals, food boxes, kids’ activities and live music.
Operation Restoration welcomes community partners, sponsors and organizations interested in tabling, participating or sponsoring this year’s festival. Vendors and community organizations interested in opportunities to connect directly with attendees and share resources, services, and information with the community can contact Montrell@or-nola.org.
WHO: Operation Restoration
WHAT: 4th Annual Juneteenth Community Festival
WHEN: Friday, June 19; 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
WHERE: PotBelly NOLA, 2908 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., New Orleans
WHY: Commemorating Juneteenth
OTHER: Free food, entertainment, kids’ activities, community resources