Juneteenth

Sunday, June 19, 2022 - 10:00am

Medina will host its first Juneteenth Celebration on Sunday, June 19, 2022 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM in Medina Square.  Pastor Arthur Ruffin of Second Baptist Church, Tracey Ruffin of Sister Circle Medina and Pam Miller with the Medina Diversity Project are working together with help from the City of Medina and Main Street Medina to present a day of reflection and community, with a church service, entertainment, featured speakers, food and vendors. 

In addition to sponsors, the Juneteenth Committee is seeking Black-owned businesses, entertainers, artists, food trucks and other interested organizations to participate in the event.  For vendor and sponsorship information, contact Pastor Arthur Ruffin at 330-328-3221. 

Juneteenth celebrates the end of slavery in the United States.  On June 19, 1865, two months after the Confederate Army surrendered to end the Civil War, the Union Army arrived in Galveston, Texas with news that the war was over and slaves were now free.  June 19^th or “Juneteenth” became an official state holiday in Texas in 1980.  As its observance grew across the country, it was declared an official federal holiday in 2021.

Pastor Ruffin said that “Juneteenth is an opportunity to challenge racism.  We reflect on the knowledge that 4 million people were enslaved in our country for more than 250 years.  We want to bring people in our community together, to celebrate African-American freedom and achievement, to promote appreciation of African-American history and culture.”

For additional information, contact:
Pastor Arthur Ruffin, Second Baptist Church, 330-328-3221
Tracey Ruffin, Sister Circle Medina, 330-321-3271
Pam Miller, Medina Diversity Project, 330-697-4937
Mayor Dennis Hanwell, City of Medina, 330-722-9020
George Sam, Main Street Medina, 330-590-3417