Commemorating 34 Years of Juneteenth in Iowa
Iowa Juneteenth marks 34 years of commemorating Juneteenth in Iowa. Traditionally known as Emancipation Day, celebrations previously took place in September and January. These months were chosen because President Abraham Lincoln drafted the Emancipation Proclamation in September 1862, and it became law on Jan. 1, 1863. However, the enslaved in Galveston, Texas, remained uninformed until June 19, 1865, which is now celebrated as Juneteenth.
This Year’s Iowa Juneteenth
Major Iowa Juneteenth events will take place this month at locations across the region. Take part in the following:
Stay updated on our 2024 and 2025 events by visiting our website at iowajuneteenth.org. We offer educational opportunities and events centered on history, economic development, health and resources that empower community members to positively influence future generations. And don’t miss out on these other Juneteenth events around the region:
Gary Lawson founded Iowa Juneteenth in 1990. On April 11, 2002, Governor Thomas Vilsack enacted a law to celebrate Juneteenth on the third Saturday of June in Iowa. Gary Lawson spearheaded our Juneteenth events in Greater Des Moines (DSM) until October 2015, when The Des Moines Urban Experience took over. I have been leading the Iowa Juneteenth festivities for nine years. Our theme from 2024-2026 is "Remember our History, Release the Past, and Reshape our Future." I will elaborate further on the three R's.
Remembering Our History
The transgressions of the United States carry consequences. Whenever we err, consequences follow, whether we acknowledge them or not. History recounts the tale of Africans being uprooted from their homeland, shackled as criminals and stowed on ships bound for the 'free world,' only to discover that freedom was never intended for them. Instead, they were sold into servitude in the South, regarded as subhuman. Many ancestors journeyed North seeking liberty but were not always received warmly. The history of my people should not be forgotten, nor should it be perceived as a threat. Every family has a history passed down through generations. Often, we hesitate to share the darker chapters, yet it is these very stories that challenge us to improve as human beings. The same is true for the United States. The nation's wrongdoings should be discussed and remembered. Everyone should acknowledge this history and not shy away from others learning about it. It is a tragedy that individuals who resemble me were treated worse than animals, and the legacy of our forebears has been transmitted from one generation to the next. Due to the sin of slavery, we are now grappling with the repercussions of hatred, racism and laws that continue to disadvantage Black people.
Releasing the Past
In letting go of the past, I am not suggesting we forget it. Rather, I am advocating for forgiveness. Learning of the ancestors' brutal treatment through stories, documentaries and films can incite anger. It's difficult to fathom such inhumane treatment from one human to another. Holding onto this anger is unhealthy, and while sin has its consequences, there is also a cost to not releasing it. I believe that clinging to hurt, anger, and pain inflicts harm upon us physically, spiritually and emotionally, and we carry these wounds forward.
Reshaping Our Future
By remembering our history and not forgetting our identity, and by releasing the past through forgiveness, we can move forward to create and reshape a better future for ourselves and our families. I acknowledge the painful history of our ancestors and am troubled by current practices of laws that attempt to suppress our history, as well as the unwarranted deaths of Black individuals at the hands of police and those with hatred in their hearts. Iowa Juneteenth aims to reshape our future by sharing the stories of our ancestors and equipping Black communities with the necessary tools and resources to build a better future for everyone. We cannot escape history, but we can acknowledge it, learn from it and strive to not repeat it. I urge you to support the work of Iowa Juneteenth, and before you speak against us, take the time to understand who we are and what we stand for. Juneteenth is more than a celebration; it is a movement.
From Pride to Juneteenth to the Latino Heritage Festival, big, inclusive events are par for the course in Greater Des Moines (DSM). But there are smaller events celebrating diversity here, too. Attend one of the Greater Des Moines Partnership’s Multicultural Receptions, an event celebrating veterans or a sensory-friendly event in the region. Learn more here.
Dwana Bradley
Dwana Bradley is the proud mother of Nautika and JaMarcus, the Executive Director of the Des Moines Urban Experience and serves as the General Chairperson for Iowa Juneteenth. She owns Iowa Urban Media, is a former member of the Des Moines Public School Board and is currently working on her doctorate in educational leadership at Drake University.