Juneteenth Celebration
Make plans to attend the Juneteenth national holiday celebration on campus at Minneapolis College.
Thursday, June 6 in T.1400
- 1–2:00 p.m: Juneteenth keynote presentation featuring Lee Henry Jordan, Midwest and State Director for the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation (NJOF).
- 2–3:00 p.m: Juneteenth book reading featuring WCCO News Anchor and Broadcast personality Shayla Michelle.
Don’t miss this celebration of African American emancipation!
This event is offered by the Equity and Inclusion Division (sponsored by AIS, AME, and hosted by the Bridge Scholars Program).
Guest Speaker Bios
Lee Henry Jordan is a resident of Minneapolis Minnesota with a heart for community development. He is an accomplished filmmaker, owns a casting company, writes, directs and manages several local and national production endeavors. Jordan works with both Independent and Commercial Productions. Creating works that are thought provoking as well as artistically astute, his goal is to capture inspiring experiences that promote Black American history and the celebration of family.
In his role as Mid -West and State Director for the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation (NJOF) and Community Liaison for the local Minnesota Juneteenth, Jordan’s goal is to help share the motto of Juneteenth and the history of the NJOF. The NJOF includes hundreds of local organizations that were instrumental in the passage of Juneteenth Independence Day legislation.
The NJOF advances the right of Freedom through its initiatives including education, health, music, art, and technology creating opportunities for a better life for all. By focusing on these key building blocks the NJOF movement creates long-lasting community change. The NJOF is a call to action for everyone to become a part of the change.
As Mr. Jordan continues to grow as an activist, community connector, Black business owner and lover of family and history, he will continue to elevate the positive messages associated with Unity and liberty in the Black community.
Shayla Michelle is an Emmy-award winning television news journalist with more than 15 years in broadcasting. She graduated from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism and was named the top broadcast student in her graduating class. Shayla is the author of “Echo In The Distance,” her first illustrated children’s book released on Juneteenth 2023. Through clear, descriptive language, Shayla takes readers on a visual journey through time, urging them to harness the power of Dr. King’s dream and their own.