The 6th Annual Juneteenth Commemoration, Celebration, and Concert returns to Levitt Pavilion Dayton on Friday, June 19, from 4:45 PM to 9 PM with this year’s theme: Legacy of Freedom III.
Presented in partnership with Home of Urban Creative Arts, this free community celebration centers education, culture, remembrance, and joy through an evening of performances, interactive experiences, and live music in the heart of downtown Dayton.
4:45 PM – 5:45 PM
The evening begins with the pre-show special “Boots on the Ground,” featuring a short educational presentation and homage to local and national individuals who have fought and continue to fight for freedom, followed by community Southern soul line dancing.
6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Throughout the evening, guests can experience African drumming and dance, poetry, heritage performances, live audience participation moments, a live choir, food sculptures and culinary demonstrations, face painting, sound bowls, massage chairs, food trucks, giveaways, and more.
Families can also explore the Mobile Bookstore, receive free youth books while supplies last, connect with local African American authors, and engage with curated literacy-focused activities celebrating the power of reading, storytelling, and cultural preservation.
7:30 PM – 9:00 PM
The night concludes with a featured concert performance by legendary Grammy-nominated R&B group Brownstone, featuring a live band. Known for defining the sound of ’90s R&B with rich harmonies and timeless hits including “If You Love Me,” “Grapevyne,” and “5 Miles to Empty,” Brownstone first rose to acclaim as Michael Jackson’s first signing to MJJ Music.
Today, the group continues to bring their signature soulful sound to audiences across the country, connecting generations of R&B fans through powerful vocals and unforgettable live performances.
Genuine Work, the Dayton community’s premier full-service collaborative, co-working firm, announces its Juneteenth National Independence Day celebration, championing the progress of Dayton’s great Black and Brown entrepreneurs and this vibrant community. 
“It is with a full heart and gratitude, I have the opportunity as Genuine Work’s Community Builder to host an event that is intentional and necessary for Dayton’s Black and Brown community. We look forward to celebrating this joyous and impactful holiday with all who call Dayton home and to taking time to honor the ancestors that realized this holiday for us.” – Dana Graham, Community Builder, Genuine Work
Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. From its Galveston, Texas origin in 1865, the observance of June 19th as the African American Emancipation Day has spread across the United States and beyond. Today Juneteenth commemorates African American freedom and emphasizes education and achievement. It is a time for reflection and rejoicing. It is a time for assessment, self-improvement and for planning the future. Its growing popularity signifies a level of maturity and dignity in America long over due. In cities across the country, people of all races, nationalities and religions are joining hands to truthfully acknowledge a period in our history that shaped and continues to influence our society today.
Juneteenth Commemoration at Levitt Pavilion