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2022 WHEELING AREA
JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION EVENT SCHEDULE
Friday, June 17
Lunch with Books: Crossing the River for Freedom
12:30 p.m. | Ohio County Public Library | 52 - 16th Street, Wheeling
“Crossing the River for Freedom: Slavery and the Underground Railroad,” will serve as the kick-off of the 2022 Wheeling Area Juneteenth Celebration. Kristina C. Estle, public historian and Director and Curator of the Underground Railroad Museum in Flushing, Ohio, will present her research on the Underground Railroad and abolitionist movement in Belmont County as well as slavery in Wheeling.
Saturday, June 18
Celebrating Black Resilience and Culture
5 p.m. | YWCA Wheeling | 1100 Chapline Street, Wheeling
Learn about the life and legacy of Henry "Box" Brown, as told by reenactor and magician Rory Rennick. Brown was an enslaved man who shipped himself to freedom in a wooden box. Once he was freed, he turned his story into an anti-slavery stage show.
Following the Henry "Box" Brown reenactment, the Goree Drum and Dance Company will perform a traditional West African dance show.
This program is made possible in part by state tax dollars allocated by the Ohio Legislature to the Ohio Arts Council (OAC). The OAC is a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally, and economically.
Sunday, June 19
Wheeling Juneteenth Ceremony and Celebration
5 p.m. | The Plaza on Market | 1053 Market Street, Wheeling
Join us at 5 p.m. at The Plaza on Market as we honor and celebrate African American history, music, faith, family, and freedom! The event will begin at 5 p.m. with a short ceremony at the north end of the Plaza. After the ceremony, music, entertainment and food trucks will follow at the south end of the Plaza. The event is free and open to the public.
Ceremony speakers include:
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Dr. Monique Akassi, Special Assistant to the President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at West Liberty University
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Darryl Clausell, president of the West Virginia NAACP
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Jerry Moore, president of the Belmont County NAACP
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Rev. Twila Davis of the Macedonia Baptist Church
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Glenn Elliott, mayor of the City of Wheeling.
Celebration performers include:
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Voices of Praise, Macedonia Baptist Church
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Isaiah Keez (Rap)
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Soul Skool (Soul, Hip Hop, R&B)
In the event of inclement weather, the Wheeling Juneteenth Ceremony and Celebration will be held at Towngate Theatre (2118 Market Street, Wheeling).
Presented by the Wheeling Area Juneteenth Committee in partnership with:
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