Detroit’s Northwestern High School hosts its inaugural Juneteenth parade

Juneteenth — it’s the newest federal holiday and communities in Michigan and across the nation are finding ways to commemorate the emancipation of enslaved African Americans and the end of slavery.

Since the inaugural holiday was signed into law by President Joe Biden in 2021, several communities have been organizing cookouts, parades, block parties and more to celebrate the holiday. New to the community this year was Detroit’s Northwestern High School parade, organized by the school’s academic interventionist Alex Nichols.

The parade joins the Highland Park Juneteenth parade that’s been going on for a few years now, and it's likely others will follow suit. Community organizers expect their traditions will continue to grow and new events and opportunities will be formed each year.

One Detroit senior producer Bill Kubota visited the Northwestern High School parade on June 19th for the federal observance of Juneteenth. Plus, he talks with administrators and students from the high school about what Juneteenth means to them and how people can learn more about it.

Episode 755/Segment 2

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