By #TEAMEBONY | EBONY
On Juneteenth of this year, the Robert Randolph Foundation will present a multi-city event that will serve as a platform for charitable grassroots organizations and diverse voices in the community to commemorate the breadth and depth of Black culture and its historical significance on this important day. The live-streamed event will take place on June 19th, from 5:00-9:00pm EST, and feature musical performances, inspiring speeches, films, comedy, storytelling, and appearances by civic leaders and influencers.
Expect musical performances by Earth, Wind & Fire, Bebe Winans, Aloe Blacc, Black Pumas, Robert Randolph, and Nile Rodgers & CHIC, among many others. Actress and author Amanda Seales and comedian JB Smoove will serve as hosts for the program. Celebrities, such Phylicia Rashad, Billy Porter, Van Jones, Wayne Brady, Aisha Tyler, will appear live from across the country, streaming from various hubs of Black culture and creativity, including New York, New Orleans, Nashville and Los Angeles.
The brainchild of Grammy-nominated artist Robert Randolph, the purpose of the inaugural festival is to bring forth awareness of the significance of Juneteenth as a holiday and its significance in American history, by uniting people of all backgrounds while amplifying the many narratives of the Black experience in this country. “While Juneteenth, the holiday, marks the symbolic end of slavery in America, our goal is for Juneteenth Unityfest to represent the accomplishments of Black people in the United States,” says Randolph. “Through this celebration, our mission is for Juneteenth to serve as an occasion to remember the past, acknowledge our progression and take collective action towards creating a ‘more perfect union’ for all Americans.”
Adds Antong Lucky, co-chair of Heal America and president of Urban Specialists, “This is much more than a celebration—it’s an opportunity to educate and learn. It is a time to come together, heal, grow and embrace the bright future we will have if we focus on what unites us rather than what divides us. That’s what it means to heal America, and everyone has a role to play.”
Partners of the event include EBONY, as the official media partner, and LiveXLive, as the official streaming partner. Through LiveXLive, the virtual fest will be accessible via STIRR, SLING, AppleTV, and through LiveXLive’s social media channels.
Juneteenth Unityfest is produced by Empire Entertainment in collaboration with Red Light Management with creative direction and head writing by Paul Oakley Stovall.
For more info on the Juneteenth Unityfest, visit juneteenthunityfest.com.
