
Hoover-AHEAD’s Third Annual
Juneteenth Celebration
June 17, 2023
Hoover Public Library 10:00 am–5:00 pm
Support for this event was provided by a grant from
Schedule of Events
Hoover Library Theatre Stage
(The Schedule of Events will be updated as additional details become available.)
10:10 am
Welcome—Shilpa Gaggar and Withrow Newell
10:20 am
City of Hoover Proclamation— Mayor Frank Brocato
10:30 am
Story of Juneteenth by storyteller, Lisa Daniels from the National Hook-Up of Black Women, Birmingham Chapter
11:00 am
Sahi On Ko Djony Drumming and Dancing
11:20 am
Importance of Juneteenth—Shelia Smoot
11:40 am
Sahi On Ko Djony Drumming and Dancing
Noon
Screening of T. Marie King’s movie Fred Shuttlesworth (Discussion with filmmaker afterward)
1:00 pm
Praise Ensemble of the Birmingham Youth and Young Adult Fellowship Choir
1:20 pm
Combined Area High School Choirs
1:40 pm
Screening of movie—Bending the Arc (Discussion with filmmaker afterward)
Get Your Free Tickets
Tickets or pre-registration is NOT required to attend Hoover-AHEAD’s Juneteenth Celebration. However, by pre-registering you help us better to prepare for the event AND you become eligible to win a special door prize at the conclusion of the event. You only have to checkin at the door or drop your printed ticket off at the Hoover-AHEAD table to be eligible. You do not have to be present at the time of the drawing.
CLICK HERE to go to our Eventbrite Juneteenth Ticket Page.
Film Screenings
Hoover-AHEAD is excited to be offering two different movie screenings at this year’s Juneteenth Celebration—Shuttlesworth and Bending the Arc: Origins.
Shuttlesworth
Shuttlesworth chronicles the life of the late civil rights leader, starting with his childhood and following his work at Bethel Baptist Church, the development of the Birmingham Campaign, and “the reactionary violence unleashed by the white power structure of the city.
Through this lens, SHUTTLESWORTH examines the City of Birmingham, its unique history and culture, and how the city became the symbol for social justice and the American Civil Rights Movement.
The hour-long documentary features conversations with members of Shuttlesworth’s family, including his daughters Ruby and Carolyn Shuttlesworth, as well as interviews with historians, politicians, and community leaders including Dr. Martha Bouyer, the executive director of the Historic Bethel Baptist Church Foundation, Bishop Calvin Woods; judge U.W. Clemon; Richard Arrington, the first Black mayor of the city of Birmingham; Birmingham’s current mayor, Randall Woodfin; and Dr. Andrew M. Manis, the author of the “A Fire You Can’t Put Out: The Civil Rights Life of Birmingham’s Reverend Fred Shuttlesworth.”
Prior to the screening, T. Marie King, one of the producers of the film, with be present to introduce the film and take questions before the film is screened in the Hoover City Library Theater.
Bend the Arc: Origins
The Bending the Arc Project features the stories of both African Americans and a small group of little-known white allies who fought for racial justice during the Civil Rights Movement.
Bending the Arc: Origins, is chapter 1 in a multi-part documentary series on the struggle against racism in Alabama. Bending the Arc: Origins is about the foundations of racism in Alabama, from the slave trade and the proliferation of slavery through the Civil War; to Reconstruction; the violent backlash against emancipation; and the re-enslavement of African Americans through the convict leasing system. The film features descendants, Black and white, of people who were enslavers or who were enslaved on Alabama plantations.
Following the film in the Hoover City Library Theater, Barbara and Dorthy, who are featured in the film, will be available for a time of Q & A.
Children's Activities
The Children’s Activity area will be open from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm and will be staffed and run by the incredible Hoovery Public Library staff. Activites will tentatively include:
- Book lists
- Book display featuring both Juneteenth and Black History titles that are currently available for checkout
- Juneteenth story time
- Inspired by the book, A Flag for Juneteenth by Kim Taylor (Jan 2003), a special craft opportunity to design your own Freedom Flag.
- Photo booth opportunities
- Banned Book Scavenger Hunt
Celebration in the Cafe
In the spirit of Juneteenth, you are invited to gather with friends, family, or new friends upstairs in the Hoover City Library Cafe to visit and spend time together celebrating the day. You are welcome to bring food from the food trucks or purchase food in the library’s East 59 Cafe as you enjoy your time together.
Sponsors
Sponsorships are currently available at the following levels:
Friends of Hoover-AHEAD: $100
Bronze: $300
Silver: $500
Gold: $750
Small Stage Sponsor: $1,000 (Vendor area and food truck area)- sponsors will have signs displayed in these areas
Large Stage Sponsor: $2,000 (Kids Area, Main Stage, Café Stage)- sponsors will have signs displayed in these areas
Title Sponsor: $5,000
Email hooverahead@gmail.com for more information or to provide a sponsorship.
Vendors
Alabama Interfaith Refugee Partnership
Ants Got Da Juse
Jenny Lewis- Children’s Author
South and Oak Company
The Mack Master Professional Organizing
Thrivent Financial serving Free Popcorn all day
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. —Psi Upsilon Zeta Chapter, Hoover, Alabama
Would your business, food truck, or organization like to be a vendor at this year’s Juneteenth Celebration? Email hooverahead@gmail.com for more details. When confirmed, vendors will be listed here. Vendors include those selling items as well as local organizations who will be available to help you better engage our community.
Volunteer Information
Would you like to volunteer for Juneteenth 2023? Email us at hooverahead@gmail.com.
Promotional Material
Would you be willing to help us promote this year’s Juneteenth Celebration? Feel free to download and print the flyer below to post or share with others.
Willing to share the flyer via social media? Download the image file below to share the flyer on social media.