Our Story
IN THE SUMMER OF 2020
After the June 2020 protests in Downtown Cleveland and subsequent community recognition of and pledge to actively combat racism as a public health crisis, Downtown Cleveland Alliance along with Ingenuity Cleveland, Land Studio, Karamu House, Cleveland Public Library, Destination Cleveland and the City of Cleveland formed the #VoicesofCLE Public Art Project.
This project set out initially to help beautify boarded-up windows throughout the city center. It engaged local artists of color – providing a platform to amplify voices, spark conversation and uplift the community as we looked for ways to unite and heal. The project complemented an original theatrical production by Karamu House, the country’s oldest African American producing theatre, on June 19, 2020. Entitled “Freedom on Juneteenth,” an original theatrical production and artistic response to the recent murders of Black Americans through music, dance and spoken word – instantly becoming a nationally-recognized and viral video.
COMING TOGETHER FOR THE SUMMER OF 2021
As our organizations found pathways to advance the community in a time when our country was suffering from the effects of the global pandemic, we began to talk about how the community could coalesce around Juneteenth in 2021.
In less than 6 weeks MetroHealth, along with Karamu House, Downtown Cleveland Inc., Ingenuity Cleveland and 70+ sponsors, supporters, and organizations quickly organized to introduce the inaugural MetroHealth Cleveland Juneteenth Freedom Fest. The group’s aim is to educate, celebrate, and activate participants around the history of Black culture.
Nearly 10,000 Clevelanders showed up to celebrate and enjoy educational experiences, family friendly activities, a vendor village, a full day of live art, music and literary performances and the fireworks finale. We continue to receive rave reviews from festival goers about the diversity, the energy, and our way of highlighting the richness of African American culture right here in Cleveland —despite a little bit of rain.
CULTIVATING PARTNERSHIPS AND IMPACT OF THE FREEDOM FEST IN OUR COMMUNITY
Freedom Fest organizers continue to work hard to represent the community we serve, provide opportunities for black owned businesses and working artists, as well as activate the community around Black history, structural racism and social determinates of health.
This year we will be expanding the celebration over two days and can’t wait to partner with you all again. Rain or shine—we’ll see you June 14 + 15, 2024.
2024 MetroHealth Cleveland Junteenth Freedom Fest Host Committee
HEATHER HOLMES DILLARD // Principal, The Raben Group // Co-Chair
TONY SIAS // President & CEO, Karamu House // Co-Chair
ASEELAH SHAREEF // Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, Karamu House
KEVIN CLAYTON // Senior Vice President, Head of Social Impact and Equity, Cleveland Cavaliers
KATHRYN M. HALL // Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion, JACK Entertainment
ANGELA SHUTE-WOODSON // Director of Community Relations, Senior Advisor to the Mayor, City of Cleveland, Office of the Mayor
EMILY APPELBAUM // Executive Artistic Director, Ingenuity Cleveland
