Civil Rights

Juneteenth in Tennessee

By: John Partipilo, Karen Pulfer Focht and Lookout Staff - June 18, 2023 11:11 pm

Signs at the 2023 Memphis Juneteenth Festival Celebration in Health Science Park in Memphis, Tennessee June 17, 2023. (Photo by Karen Pulfer Focht)

Tennesseans didn’t wait until Monday to celebrate Juneteenth, the holiday commemorating the date in 1865 when enslaved Texans learned they had been freed by the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863.

In May, Gov. Bill Lee signed a law recognizing Juneteenth as a state holiday, two years after President Joe Biden declared it a federal holiday.

Cities across the state celebrated the day with festivals, street parties and formal events. Memphis held a weekend-long celebration that included opening ceremonies at the National Civil Rights Museum, history lectures and a Saturday lunch featuring drag performers. In Nashville, The Equity Alliance hosted the third annual “Black on Buchanan,” a block party described as a celebration of Black joy, excellence, freedom and our fight for Black liberation.”

With both Memphis and Nashville holding mayoral elections in the coming months, politicians made the rounds to talk with prospective voters.

The action wasn’t just in big cities. As part of Pulaski’s second Juneteenth event, pastors and city leaders unveiled a statue commemorating the service of the United States Colored Troops — a contrast to the town’s history as the birthplace of the Ku Klux Klan — Union Army regiments composed of African-American soldiers who fought during the Civil War.

Memphis celebrates

Children practice their dance routine at the 2023 Memphis Juneteenth Festival Celebration in Health Science Park in Memphis, Tennessee June 17, 2023. (Photo by Karen Pulfer Focht)

Children play at the 2023 Memphis Juneteenth Festival Celebration in Health Science Park in Memphis, Tennessee June 17, 2023. (Photo by Karen Pulfer Focht)

Monica Gipson shows off her Flaunt brand at the 2023 Memphis Juneteenth Festival Celebration in Health Science Park in Memphis, Tennessee June 17, 2023. (Photo by Karen Pulfer Focht)

Mayoral candidate Floyd Bonner campaigns at the 2023 Memphis Juneteenth Festival Celebration in Health Science Park in Memphis, Tennessee June 17, 2023. (Photo by Karen Pulfer Focht)

Black on Buchanan

Comic Josh Black entertaining the crowd at "Black on Buchanan" in Nashville. (Photo: John Partipilo)

Sen. Jeff Yarbro, D-Nashville, was one of many elected officials and candidates attending "Black on Buchanan," sponsored by The Equity Alliance. (Photo: John Partipilo)

A Juneteenth banner at "Black on Buchanan" In Nashville, June 17, 2023. (Photo: John Partipilo)

Metro Nashville Council candidate Jamel Campbell Gooch talks to potential voters during Nashville's Juneteenth celebration, "Black on Buchanan." (Photo: John Partipilo)

Nashville Property Assessor and mayoral candidate Vivian Wilhoite handed out memorable campaign materials at "Black on Buchanan." (Photo: John Partipilo) — Nashville Property Assessor and mayoral candidate Vivian Wilhoite handed out memorable campaign materials at “Black on Buchanan.” (Photo: John Partipilo)

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John Partipilo

Working as a photojournalist for 40 years, Partipilo has won awards such as NPPA Best of Photojournalism and nominated for two Pulitzers. His photography has also been featured in national and international publications. Most importantly Partipilo’s work is about people — people in their different environments and people in their different stages of life. That’s the heart of his work. To him people are so important, because they all have a unique story.

Karen Pulfer Focht

Karen Pulfer Focht is a freelance photojournalist in Memphis, Tennessee who has won numerous awards in her career, many for in-depth projects about children and families. Her work is regularly published in newspapers and magazines around the world.