KENNESAW, Ga. | Jun 22, 2026

Juneteenth Jubilee Week celebrates Black history, culture, and community at KSU

Kennesaw State students, faculty, staff, and community members gathered throughout this past week to commemorate Juneteenth through a series of events hosted by Student Engagement and Support.  

The annual Juneteenth Jubilee Week celebrations highlighted the history, culture, and legacy of Juneteenth through live performances, art, and educational exhibits for the KSU community.  

“KSU began celebrating [Juneteenth] in 2022, when former President Biden designated Juneteenth a national holiday,” said Chinyere Turner, associate director of Student Engagement and Support. “Through annual events, student support, and education on the fight for freedom and recognition around the Juneteenth holiday, the connection between KSU and Juneteenth is now stronger than ever.” 

The week began with the Juneteenth Festival on June 16 at the Student Recreation and Activities Center. Attendees enjoyed performances from local artists, educational activities, and engaging with Black-owned vendors and registered student organizations throughout the day.  

The festival opened with welcoming remarks from Student Engagement and Support staff before performances by the Black Musicians Coalition and Soul Food Cypher. Throughout the event, attendees participated in Juneteenth-themed trivia, explored educational exhibits created by KSU students, and connected with campus and community organizations.  

The celebration continued on June 18 with the Jubilee Art Exhibition at the Bernard A. Zuckerman Museum of Art. The event brought together the KSU community to explore artwork, enjoy musical performances, and learn about the history of Juneteenth.  

Guests viewed artwork provided through the Zuckerman Museum of Art highlighting the resilience, creativity, and contributions of Black communities while encouraging reflection on the significance of the holiday. The program included remarks on the history of Juneteenth, musical performances by the Black Musicians Coalition, and a reading of Frederick Douglass’ influential speech, “What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?” 

“The Juneteenth Festival and Jubilee Art Exhibition offer the campus community opportunities to engage in educational and community-building programs that honor the Juneteenth holiday through commemorative activities and reflections on the resilience of Black American culture and heritage,” said Turner. “While conversations about the ongoing fight for equity may begin at the events, our hope is that they continue long after.” 

For a full list of upcoming events on campus, check out OwlLife.