We are proud to partner with Auto-Owners Insurance to support this year’s 517 Juneteenth Celebration, hosted by the Ourspace Foundation. As one of the largest cultural festivals in the region, the 517 Juneteenth Weekend is a joyful, vibrant celebration of Black wellness, economic empowerment, and artistic excellence.
Held throughout Lansing’s REO Town Corridor, this multi-day event brings together thousands of community members for a unique opportunity to honor and celebrate Black culture, expression, and history. The festival also commemorates an important moment in our nation’s story: the emancipation of African Americans who remained enslaved even after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. On June 19, 1865, Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas to announce that all enslaved people were finally free—more than two years after slavery was officially abolished.
Juneteenth has been widely celebrated in Black communities for generations and officially recognized in Michigan since 2005. In 2020, Governor Whitmer proclaimed June 19th as “Juneteenth Celebration Day,” and today it is recognized as a federal holiday.
But here in the 517, the celebration runs deep.
The Ourspace Foundation has long worked to bridge Black arts and culture with the Lansing community at-large—providing free, high-quality, and accessible programming while creating platforms for Black-owned businesses and creatives to shine. The 517 Juneteenth Festival is the pinnacle of that work, and it just keeps growing.
Highlights from the 2024 Celebration Weekend Include:
🎤 Thursday, June 19
Juneteenth Seminar & Mixer: Pathways to Wholeness
6:30PM @ The Cadillac Room
An evening of powerful conversations on Black wellness—mental, physical, financial, and communal—followed by music, mingling, and refreshments.
🍦 Friday, June 20
Family Ice Cream Social
5:30–8:00PM @ Riverview Lot (REO Town)
A family-friendly gathering with face painting, music, dancing, and free ice cream!
🎶 Saturday, June 21
517 Juneteenth Festival
3:30–10:30PM on South Washington Ave (REO Town)
The main event! Enjoy food trucks, vendors, art, kids' zones, and live performances—including Grammy-nominated BJ The Chicago Kid headlining the Juneteenth Stage.
🎷 Sunday, June 22
Juneteenth Jazz Night
6:30PM @ The Cadillac Room
An intimate evening of curated jazz and soulful reflection to close out the weekend.
We’re honored to stand with Auto-Owners Insurance in supporting the Ourspace Foundation and the vital work they do to uplift and celebrate Lansing’s Black community. The 517 Juneteenth Weekend is more than a festival—it’s a legacy of resilience, creativity, and freedom. We hope to see you there.
