- This event has passed.
Juneteenth Celebration
June 19 @ 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Juneteenth Celebration
Time: 6p.m.
Date: June 19th
Location: Belle Center – 107 West Broad St. Mt. Pleasant Iowa, 52641
Panel To Discuss Juneteenth and the Struggle for Freedom
A panel of local citizens will discuss the struggles African Americans faced on their road to freedom, beginning with those who were enslaved and traversed the Underground Railroad. The struggle led to the important freeing of the slaves on June 19th 1865, in Texas. (Hence the origin of “Juneteenth.”)
The evening will begin with a short video title “The Truth about Juneteenth.”
This will be followed by discussion by three panelists. They will include David Helman, Director of the Lewelling House in Salem–a stop on the Underground Railroad; Dr. Jeff Hendred, a motivational speaker, an associate pastor, an author, and as the Dean of the 2025 – 2026 Ottumwa Leadership Academy; and Rachelle Chase, a podcaster, columnist, and author of eight books and novellas.
While Juneteenth is sometimes called “Freedom Day,” history shows that actual freedom took a long time to achieve. Even today America works to achieve our dream of complete equality of opportunity. Remembering Juneteenth is a way of remembering this ongoing struggle.
The discussion will occur on Friday, June 19th, at 6:00 p.m., in the Belle Center (107 W Broad Street). The event is free and open to the public.