Alongside resilient Black communities throughout the nation, AWP celebrates Juneteenth as the momentous day when news of the Emancipation Proclamation finally reached the last enslaved people in the United States. It is a time for celebration, reflection, and growth. We’ve assembled a collection of online readings, book clubs, poetry open mics, and other valuable resources to commemorate Juneteenth and provide further education on its value and importance. Check out the links to preregister and don’t forget to share with friends!

Aside from attending these events, you can support Black authors directly by checking out our Bookshop.org lists or buying directly from Black writers, artists, and business owners.

From The Writer’s Chronicle

Middle Passage at 25: Charles Johnson Reflects on His National Book Award-Winning Novel and More by Robin Lindley, February 2017

In Our Way: Racism in Creative Writing by Claudia Rankine, October/November 2016

Whole Sight: Notes on New Black Fiction by Charles Johnson, February 1985

Rewatch Online Events

Virtual AWP in Conversation: Celebrating Black Poetry with Cave Canem

Virtual AWP Pedagogy: Reclaiming Genre Fiction for the Creative Writing Classroom

#AWP22 Honoring the Endeavor with Cornelius Eady & Toi Derricotte

#AWP21 Event Tribute to June Jordan, Sponsored by Copper Canyon Press

NBCC Award Winners Edwidge Danticat and Sarah M. Broom on Finding Home

Legacy Conversations with C.S Giscombe and Nathaniel Mackey, Sponsored by Cave Canem

AWP Virtual Book Club featuring Horsepower by Joy Priest

Virtual AWP: Conversations with Writers featuring Maurice Carlos Ruffin & Regina Brooks

Video Resources

On Juneteenth

Juneteenth Porch Stories

Juneteenth: Connecting the Historic to the Now

Juneteenth and Culinary History—A Conversation between Adrian Miller and Kevin Young

Further Resources

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection of Learning Series

NMAAHC Digital Resource Guide

Juneteenth Events

All events below are listed in ET.

Wednesday, June 14

1:00–2:00 p.m.— Join Blue Level as they host Celebrating Juneteenth & Pride: An Intersectional Look. Learn from event facilitator Terrence Mayo about intersectionality, social justice and equity, and ethical leadership. Registration is free, and this event will take place online.

6:30 p.m. — Creative Girls Rock presents the CGR Virtual Master Class: Juneteenth Creative Arts Workshop. This session is for youth (6–11) and teens (12–17)! Registration is free, and this event will take place online.  

Saturday, June 17

11:00 a.m. — Creative Girls Rock presents the CGR Virtual Master Class: Juneteenth Creative Arts Workshop. This session is for adults (18+) and seniors (55+)! Registration is free, and this event will take place online. 

Sunday, June 18

8:00–9:00 p.m.— Melaneyes Media presents Understanding Juneteenth: An Online Presentation. Learn the history of Emancipation Day and how it came to be. The event organizers ask that a donation be made in order to secure your ticket. This event will take place online.

Monday, June 19

7:00–8:00 p.m.— Dandelion Roots & Sage Circle presents: Juneteenth Spoken Word & Poetry. Join the celebration and read your own original work or come out to support others and listen to spoken word. Registration is free, and this event will take place online.